montage

American  

[mon-tahzh, mawn-tazh] / mɒnˈtɑʒ, mɔ̃ˈtaʒ /

noun

montages plural

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.

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verb (used with object)

montaged, montaging

1. to make or incorporate into a montage.

montage British  

/ 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

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montage Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• montages
  plural

Etymology

Origin of montage

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

Explanation

Romantic comedies always seem to include a montage of scenes showing the main characters falling in love while sharing a hot dog, playfully throwing snowballs at each other, and taking a romantic ride on a boat. A montage is a film sequence made up of many short scenes edited together. A montage is a kind of collage, often assembled from many different movie scenes, resulting in a single overall theme or image. You can also make a montage of photographs or music, editing or pasting together various bits to form one continuous whole. In the movie business, the word montage was originally used to mean "edit," the process of cutting and pasting pieces of film together to form a finished product.

Example Sentences

Find insight on CrowdStrike, Raspberry Pi, Montage Technology and more in the latest Market Talks covering technology, media and telecom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

They’ve nodded along as lawyers and witnesses have referenced local landmarks like Montage Deer Valley, the ski-side hotel-spa where Paltrow got a massage after the collision.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2023

Morgen, whose films include “The Kid Stays in the Picture” and “Chicago 10,” has already made two rock-docs, “Cobain: Montage of Heck” and “Crossfire Hurricane,” on the Rolling Stones.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2022

The veteran Hollywood executive Sandy Climan put him in touch with Daniel S. Loeb, a hedge fund investor, and the two hit it off over breakfast at the Montage Beverly Hills.

From New York Times • Mar. 26, 2022

CUT TO: Montage of Charlie getting promoted at her PR firm, attending events, going to a concert, and eating dinner alone.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• patchwork