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?

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movie British  

/ ˈmuːvɪ /

noun

1. 1. an informal word for film

   2. ( as modifier )

      movie ticket

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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

Danes won an Emmy for playing the real-life animal science professor in the HBO movie “Temple Grandin,” and two for playing complex CIA officer Carrie Mathison on Showtime’s “Homeland.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Years ago, Tucci was making a movie in Salt Lake City, and when he didn’t know where to eat, he went to Olive Garden.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

There’s even a contender in her category this year whose span between nominations would be longer than Danes’ lifetime: Sally Field, who appears in Netflix’s TV movie “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

His spiritual kin can be found in “Groundswell,” which is not a vegan movie: Among the interviewees advocating regeneration is Nicolette Hahn Niman, author of “Defending Beef” and a member of the Niman Ranch family.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

“Well, if you want to try living in a different kind of movie, there’s also trying not to get eaten by the bears and mountain lions.”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Related Words

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