motion picture

noun

Definition of motion picturenext
as in movie
a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motion picture The Cinecon Legacy Award is an honor given by the Cinecon Classic Film Festival to entertainment professionals for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the motion picture and entertainment industries. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Even after her 1995 novel was turned into a major motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, Hoffman wasn’t convinced that Practical Magic 2 would ever be possible. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026 And because major motion pictures often require years to produce, a decision postponed today can become a missing film several years from now. — Cory Jacobson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 Filmmakers can’t submit to the Emmys if they’ve already been nominated for an Oscar, but the motion picture academy doesn’t have that same rule — and sometimes double dipping can still occur. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motion picture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motion picture
  1. movie
  2. moving picture
  3. film
  4. documentary
Noun
  • There are also two DVDs that contain two hours and 30 minutes of concert footage, along with a new edit of the 1982 movie Joy Division – A Malcolm Whitehead Film.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The film was famously dropped by Amazon MGM Studios, which developed and financed the project then walked away from distributing the movie after announcing a $50 billion partnership and investment that involved OpenAI.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of movie
Noun
  • Musique concrète is often referred to as a moving picture for the ear, a description that feels especially pertinent given Rossetto’s longstanding interest in theater and performance.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
  • Or take in a moving picture show at whatever cinema may still exist in your part of the world.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 15 May 2026
Definition of moving picture
Noun
  • To make matters worse, his short film didn’t get into Sundance, but his mom doesn’t seem to be surprised by that.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In many ways, Therese is the picture of earnestness (right down to her appearance in Rooney Mara’s film portrayal—her eyes wider than the rims of Carol’s martini glasses).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, for example, rolled out Improbable Media in 2024 with a feature-length documentary about his life story.
    — Justin Birnbaum, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Dumont worked with a cast of non-professional young actors and adopted a documentary-like approach to the film, which was shot against the red cliffs and blue waters of the Mediterranean.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of documentary

Browse Nearby Words

motionlessness
motion picture
motion pictures
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motion picture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motion%20picture. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on motion picture

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion picture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All