2D animation

American  

[too-dee an-uh-mey-shuhn] / ˈtuˈdi ˌæn əˈmeɪ ʃən /

Or 2-D animation

noun

Graphic Arts.

1. two-dimensional animation: animation, or a product of animation, created when two-dimensional images are rapidly sequenced to create the illusion of lifelike motion, as in traditional drawn animation, cel animation, or computer-generated vector graphics.

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Etymology

Origin of 2D animation

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

The engaging 2D animation toggles between monochrome space outposts, rusty ruins and delicate scenes of nature reasserting itself on a planet abandoned to the robots.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023

The 2D animation in this movie isn’t anything to write home about, but the 3D animation—well, it still isn’t, but it stands out for different reasons.

From Slate • Jul. 16, 2021

But by using 2D animation for background characters, the show was able to have more variety.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2021

And the lushly imaginative 2D animation that brought those stories to life was rich in a cultural history of its own.

From Salon • Dec. 12, 2020

We wanted details on the character designs, in the costumes and sets, that you really can’t get in traditional 2D animation.

From The Verge • Mar. 18, 2019