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.

---

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

---

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

Jared Bush, co-writer and co-director of “Zootopia 2” and chief creative officer of Walt Disney’s animation studio, attributed the film’s success to the way it speaks to everyone around the world.

From MarketWatch

The museum’s exhibition, “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story,” is based on a similarly titled book from animation producer Don Hahn and theme park designer-turned-historian Christopher Merritt.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s much cheaper and faster to make puppets and create this fantastical world than to produce animation,” says Peirano.

From Los Angeles Times

The result is alternately charming and clashing — why, I wondered, isn’t the animation done in a 1970s style to better complement the film?

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts have pointed out the vast market potential of AI video generation, with applications across sectors including movies, animation and advertising.

From The Wall Street Journal