freeze frame

or freeze-frame

noun

, Television, Movies.

1. an optical effect or technique in which a single frame of film is reprinted in a continuous series, which when shown gives the effect of a still photograph.
2. a button or other mechanism on a projector, videocassette system, etc., allowing one to stop the projected picture at any point.

freeze-frame

noun

1. films television a single frame of a film repeated to give an effect like a still photograph
2. a single frame of a video recording viewed as a still by stopping the tape

verb

1. tr to make a freeze-frame of (an image)

Other Words From

• freeze-frame adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of freeze frame¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Now, if life were a mid-1990s teen sitcom, there would be a freeze frame.

From The Daily Beast

Every still life is secretly cinematic, some version of the freeze-frame.

From The Daily Beast

Photographers snapped the moment, and the freeze frame was lovingly titled “Zombie McCain.”

From The Daily Beast