slow-motion

¹

[sloh-moh-shuhn]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to or made in slow motion.

   a slow-motion replay.

2. moving or proceeding at a strikingly slow rate.

   slow-motion progress toward a settlement.

slow motion

²

noun

1. the process or technique of filming or taping a motion-picture or television sequence at an accelerated rate of speed and then projecting or replaying it at normal speed so that the action appears to be slowed down.

2. the effect thus created.

slow motion

noun

1. films television action that is made to appear slower than normal by passing the film through the taking camera at a faster rate than normal or by replaying a video tape recording more slowly

adjective

1. films television of or relating to such action

2. moving or functioning at less than usual speed

Word History and Origins

Origin of slow-motion¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Origin of slow-motion²

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Penelope returned to her chair as if in slow motion; when she folded her hands in her lap, her knuckles turned white.

Read more on Literature

The camera is static, steady; action moves in and through the frame, sometimes in slow motion, like movie violence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It went in slow motion but so fast at the same time. It's all a bit of a blur."

Read more on BBC

Farrell also felt that it should have been reviewed at full speed and not in a slow motion replay.

Read more on BBC

This features a life-sized giraffe and a replica of an equestrian statue of Otto von Bismarck, the first chancellor of the German Empire, both constantly change shape in slow motion.

Read more on Barron's