animation

American  

[an-uh-mey-shuhn] / ˌæn əˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• interanimation noun
• nonanimation noun
• overanimation noun

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

Example Sentences

Their animation techniques were utterly different, as was their character.

From Los Angeles Times

China’s domestic animation, comics and games market could rebound on the back of key new launches and overseas expansion, the analysts note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now the late-night animation channel has a new offering: “Haha, You Clowns,” which is much in the same vein of saccharine sincerity mixed with awkward absurdity.

From Salon

In addition to the list below, be sure to also check out Salon’s culture critics’ picks for the year’s best movies, TV shows and animation titles.

From Salon

The director also commended Wētā’s facial capture animation team for achieving a new level of photorealism, thanks in large measure to more realistic muscle and skin movement.

From Los Angeles Times