motion picture

noun

1

: a series of pictures projected on a screen in rapid succession with objects shown in successive positions slightly changed so as to produce the optical effect of a continuous picture in which the objects move

2

: a representation (as of a story) by means of motion pictures : movie

Synonyms

• film
• flick
• flicker
• movie
• moving picture
• picture

Examples of motion picture in a Sentence

He was given a starring role in a major motion picture.

a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture

Recent Examples on the Web

Birmingham Located about two hours by train from London’s Euston station, the United Kingdom’s second biggest city and the country’s one-time industrial and manufacturing hub, Birmingham has become synonymous with the Peaky Blinders television show, soon to be a major motion picture in 2025. —Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024

The result is a perfect ecosystem for watching and being watched, where once-passive audiences are encouraged to see themselves as the writers, directors and stars of their own motion pictures. —Kim Hew-Low, New York Times, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

motion picture

noun

1

: a series of pictures projected on a screen rapidly one after another so as to give the appearance of a continuous picture in which the objects move

2

: movie sense 2