montage

[mon-tahzh, mawn-tazh]

noun

plural

montages 

1. the technique of combining in a single composition pictorial elements from various sources, as parts of different photographs or fragments of printing, either to give the illusion that the elements belonged together originally or to allow each element to retain its separate identity as a means of adding interest or meaning to the composition.

2. photomontage.

3. Movies, Television.

   1. juxtaposition or partial superimposition of several shots to form a single image.

   2. a technique of film editing in which this is used to present an idea or set of interconnected ideas.

4. any combination of disparate elements that forms or is felt to form a unified whole, single image, etc.

verb (used with object)

montaged, montaging 

1. to make or incorporate into a montage.

montage

/ mɔ̃taʒ, mɒnˈtɑːʒ /

noun

1. the art or process of composing pictures by the superimposition or juxtaposition of miscellaneous elements, such as other pictures or photographs

2. such a composition

3. a method of film editing involving the juxtaposition or partial superimposition of several shots to form a single image

4. a rapidly cut film sequence of this kind

montage

1. In art, making one composition by combining parts or the whole of other pictures, objects, or designs. In film, a stylized form of editing that provides a great deal of information in a short time. For example, the passing of years may be rendered by mixing shots of different seasons with shots of calendar pages turning.

Word History and Origins

Origin of montage¹

1920–25; < French, equivalent to mont ( er ) to mount ¹ + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of montage¹

C20: from French, from monter to _mount ¹

Example Sentences

Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security posted a video montage, using the Pokémon theme song and the show’s animations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In one of the film’s most charged moments, Peck turns Orwell’s warning about political language into a montage of modern euphemisms: “peacekeeping operations,” “collateral damage,” “illegals” — and then, pointedly, “antisemitism 2024.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Johnson’s Kerr huffs up a set of stairs in a training montage that already belongs to “Rocky.”

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In July, Homeland Security’s X account posted a video montage, which used audio from 2022’s “The Batman” and displayed a Bible verse onscreen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After the montage ends, Sydney makes her final stop on her food tour at Margie’s Candies where she eats the episode’s titular dessert, a sundae.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• patchwork