movie

American  

[moo-vee] / ˈmu vi /

noun

1. a sequence of consecutive still images recorded in a series to be viewed on a screen in such rapid succession as to give the illusion of natural movement; motion picture.

2. a story, event, or the like, presented in this form.

3. movies,

   1. Usually the movies the movie industry.

      The movies use MPA ratings to inform patrons about content that may not be suitable for certain audiences.

   2. all movies as a group, or a specific category of movies, considered as a genre.

      gangster movies.

   3. the exhibition of movies.

      an evening at the movies.

   4. Often the movies a movie theater.

      Is there anything good playing at the movies on Main Street?

---

movie British  

/ ˈmuːvɪ /

noun

1. 1. an informal word for film

   2. ( as modifier )

      movie ticket

---

Etymology

Origin of movie

First recorded in 1905–10; mov(ing picture) + -ie

Explanation

A movie is a film that you watch at a theater or at home on your TV, laptop, or tablet. Movie is short for "moving picture," which was pretty exciting in the late 1800s. You can rave about your favorite movie — whether it's "Citizen Kane" or "The Lion King" — and you can also talk about "the movies," or films in general and the industry that makes them. You might dream of working in the movies, for example. Before about 1912, movies were called "motion pictures." Movie is a shortened form of the phrase, which some people abbreviate into the more old-fashioned sounding "pictures."

Example Sentences

The “Nasty” video’s feminist empowerment pageant makes it stand out, as it begins with Jackson and Abdul squeezing past a crowd of catcallers to enter a movie theater.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

The British actor played the villainous role in the original movie franchise from 2005 to 2011.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

To find our answer, we must turn to perhaps the biggest movie star in the world: Tom Cruise.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

One showed people recording action sequences with iPhone 17 Pro Maxes, including a movie set where a pirate ship was under attack, and another featuring an incoming tornado.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“And they’re calling the movie the greatest thing that ever has been put on screen.”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• cinema
• feature
• film
• flick
• motion picture
• picture
• show
• videotape