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• slow motion
  slow motion

  noun

  the process or technique of filming or taping a motion-picture or television sequence at an accelerated rate of speed and then projecting or replaying it at normal speed so that the action appears to be slowed down.
• slow-motion
  slow-motion

  adjective

  of, pertaining to or made in slow motion.

slow motion

¹ American  

noun

1. the process or technique of filming or taping a motion-picture or television sequence at an accelerated rate of speed and then projecting or replaying it at normal speed so that the action appears to be slowed down.

2. the effect thus created.

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slow-motion ² American  

[sloh-moh-shuhn] / ˈsloʊˈmoʊ ʃən /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to or made in slow motion.

   a slow-motion replay.

2. moving or proceeding at a strikingly slow rate.

   slow-motion progress toward a settlement.

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slow motion British  

noun

1. films television action that is made to appear slower than normal by passing the film through the taking camera at a faster rate than normal or by replaying a video tape recording more slowly

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adjective

1. films television of or relating to such action

2. moving or functioning at less than usual speed

Etymology

Origin of slow motion¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Origin of slow-motion²

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Slow motion can help, but there should not be an over-reliance on zooming in.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Slow motion for Jackson Eisenhauer with 0.00 ERA.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2025

Slow motion of water droplets illuminated to look like starbursts breaking apart midair, kaleidoscopes of smoke rings and skin rippling away from the pressure of an explosion are simply stunning in vivid color and contrast.

From Washington Times • Jun. 3, 2017

Slow motion replay can show things that are simply not visible in real time, on the field.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2014

Slow motion and pixilation enhance the spooky mood; a telephoto lens turns the castle into a pointillist magic mountain.

From Time Magazine Archive