graphics

American  

[graf-iks] / ˈgræf ɪks /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the art of drawing, especially as used in mathematics, engineering, etc.

2. (used with a plural verb) graphic arts.

3. (used with a plural verb) the titles, credits, subtitles, announcements, etc., shown on the screen before, or as part of, a film or television program.

4. (used with a singular verb) the science of calculating by diagrams.

5. (used with a singular or plural verb) computer graphics.

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adjective

1. Computers. pertaining to pictorial information displayed, plotted, or printed by a computer.

   When you draw a picture on a graphics tablet the computer displays the same picture on the screen.

graphics British  

/ ˈɡræfɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the process or art of drawing in accordance with mathematical principles

2. (functioning as singular) the study of writing systems

3. (functioning as plural) the drawings, photographs, etc, in the layout of a magazine or book, or in a television or film production

4. (functioning as plural) the information displayed on a visual display unit or on a computer printout in the form of diagrams, graphs, pictures, and symbols

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graphics Scientific  

/ grăf′ĭks /

1. The representation of data in a way that includes images in addition to or instead of text. Computer-aided design, typesetting, and video games, for example, involve the use of graphics.

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Etymology

Origin of graphics

First recorded in 1885–90; see origin at graphic, -ics

Example Sentences

Just over 300 trained engravers, or presspeople, work in the U.S. today, according to the International Engraved Graphics Association.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Times researcher Cary Schneider and Data and Graphics reporter Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee contributed to this report.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

The banners were printed and installed by a Maryland-based contractor, Timsco Graphics, at a cost of $16,400, per a work order that Salon received in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2025

Graphics warned of hurricanes and showed estimated wind speeds of 13,508mph in London and 5,293mph in Rome, as well as temperatures of 404C in Nottingham and 384C in New York.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2024

In mid-1994, Clark, the founder of Silicon Graphics, had joined forces with Andreessen to found Mosaic, which would quickly be renamed Netscape Communications.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

Related Words

• artwork
• computer graphics
• visuals