animation

American  

[an-uh-may-shuhn] / ˌæn əˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

• animations
  plural

1. animated quality; liveliness; vivacity; spirit.

   to talk with animation.

   Synonyms:

   sprightliness, exhilaration, ardor, enthusiasm, energy, vigor

   Antonyms:

   sluggishness

2. an act or instance of animating or enlivening.

3. the state or condition of being animated.

4. Graphic Arts

   1. a dynamic visual medium produced from static drawings, models, or objects posed in a series of incremental movements that are then rapidly sequenced to give the illusion of lifelike motion.

   2. the process of preparing such animation, as for films, cartoons, video games, etc.

   3. a product of such animation, as a film or cartoon.

---

animation British  

/ ˌænɪˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. liveliness; vivacity

2. the condition of being alive

3. 1. the techniques used in the production of animated cartoons

   2. a variant of animated cartoon

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interanimation
  noun
• nonanimation
  noun
• overanimation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• animations
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of animation

1590–1600; 1910–15 animation for def. 4; (< Middle French ) < Latin animātiōn- (stem of animātiō a bestowing of life). See animate, -ion

---

Explanation

Animation is the state of being full of life and energy, like a room full of excited kids at a birthday party. You're sure to get more people excited about your idea if you speak with animation, or liveliness, in your voice. If your face has animation, the expression in your eyes and the shape of your mouth accent what you say. As it applies to film making, animation refers to bringing something flat and unmoving, like a drawing, to life.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

animation animations

An accompanying animation shows the tracks of these observations across the enormous ice-covered landscape.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

In 1993, Nickelodeon was looking to expand its original animation lineup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

After leaving Apple, he founded computer and software company NeXT in 1985 and purchased a small animation studio, Pixar, in 1986.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

AI imitation is a growing concern among performers worldwide, and the threat has roiled Japan's storied animation industry, whose voice actors are sometimes worshipped as much as their characters by fans.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

In one, a very well dressed man talks with great animation about how he goes about shopping.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

The app features unboxing animations, fake receipts and dopamine-inducing sound effects.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

As a result, enhanced, clearer offside animations will be used at the World Cup.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

As this technology developed, the photographs became more detailed and the animations swifter and smoother.

From Slate ● May 25, 2026

He makes his own stop-motion animations using Lego figures to help develop learning retention in high school civics classes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

The only thing that makes me feel better is thinking about Ray’s animations.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---