motion picture

American  

[moh-shuhn pik-cher] / ˈmoʊ ʃən ˈpɪk tʃər /

noun

1. Movies.

   1. a sequence of consecutive still images photographed in a series by a specially designed camera motion-picture camera and thrown on a screen by a projector motion-picture projector in such rapid succession as to give the illusion of natural movement.

      Jean Cocteau produced some of the most innovative motion pictures of the postwar era.

   2. such a video sequence recorded and played in other media formats, as VHS or digital video.

      Critics have given mixed reviews to the new trend of feature-length motion pictures shot on smartphones.

2. a story, event, or the like, presented in this form.

   The motion picture is adapted from the novel of the same name.

3. motion pictures, the art, technique, or business of producing motion pictures.

   The Academy honors achievement in motion pictures every year at the Oscars.

---

motion picture British  

noun

1. Also called: film. 

   1. a sequence of images of moving objects photographed by a camera and providing the optical illusion of continuous movement when projected onto a screen

   2. a form of entertainment, information, etc, composed of such a sequence of images and shown in a cinema, etc

---

Other Word Forms

• motion-picture adjective

Etymology

Origin of motion picture

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Shut out by motion picture academy voters, the musical sequel could only manage two nominations — costume design and hair and makeup — with BAFTA.

From Los Angeles Times

“One Battle After Another” took the top prize in best musical or comedy motion picture, with “Hamnet” edging out “Sinners” to take best drama.

From Salon

Teyana Taylor took home the Golden Globe award for best supporting actress in a motion picture for her performance in “One Battle After Another.”

From Los Angeles Times

Man, they made Stellan Skarsgård walk a long way to pick up that trophy for supporting actor in a motion picture for “Sentimental Value.”

From Los Angeles Times

The multihyphenate entertainer has secured the Golden Globe for supporting actress in a motion picture for her performance as revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s black comedy “One Battle After Another.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cinema
• feature film
• flick
• talkie