Also called stop frame. the process of filming puppets and other objects one frame at a time while incrementally moving or modifying them, giving the illusion of lifelike motion when the captured film frames are viewed in rapid sequence (often used attributively): a stop-motion film.
stop-motion animation;
a stop-motion film.
Also called stop action. a special effect in cinematography, carried out while shooting, in which the performers stop their motion and the camera is stopped while an object or performer is added to or removed from the scene, with camera movement and action then resumed for the remainder of the scene: used to create an illusion of sudden appearance or disappearance of persons or objects (often used attributively).
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The breakup of a plate doesn't just stop motion -- it reshapes the planet.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2025
L.A. has also offered puppeteers and puppet builders a wide range of opportunities working in film and television, including claymation, stop motion animation and good old-fashioned hand puppetry.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2024
With “Wendell & Wild,” Selick didn’t try to advance stop motion on a technical level but instead went back to basics.
From New York Times ● Oct. 27, 2022
Based on Elizabeth Beresford's books, the stop motion animation series ran for 60 episodes with Cribbins voicing all of the environmentally friendly characters.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2022
Operating procedure when a storm hits is to stop motion and wait for the storm to pass.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Slate film critic Dana Stevens raves, “It’s a dazzling exploration of the possibilities of stop-motion technology, as well as a classic coming-of-age fairy tale.”
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026
Speaking ahead of its launch, producer Richard Beek said despite the rise of AI and CGI within the film industry, stop-motion movies are still being made and winning BAFTAs.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Watching the stop-motion monsters climb over ruined walls to poke at Greece’s elite soldiers, it’s easy to forgive the movie for its less-than-stellar dubbing or borderline nonsensical love story.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
The animation style of “Robot Chicken,” the satirical sketch-comedy series created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich in 2005, is based on stop-motion, claymation and toys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
From her vantage point, she could see Matthew putting together another stop-motion video.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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