video

American  

[vid-ee-oh] / ˈvɪd iˌoʊ /

noun

1. a program, movie, or other visual media product featuring moving images, with or without audio, that is recorded and saved digitally or on videocassette: She used her phone to record a video of her baby's first steps.

   Let's stay at home and watch a video.

   She used her phone to record a video of her baby's first steps.

   I spent all morning watching videos of cats online.

2. Television.

   1. the elements of television, as in a program or script, pertaining to the transmission or reception of the image (distinguished from audio).

   2. the video part of a television broadcast.

3. Informal. videotape.

4. Informal. television.

   She is a star of stage and video.

5. music video.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the electronic apparatus for producing the television picture.

   video amplifier.

2. of or relating to television, especially the visual elements.

3. of or relating to videocassettes, VCRs, music videos, etc..

   a video shop.

4. pertaining to or employed in the transmission or reception of television pictures.

video British  

/ ˈvɪdɪˌəʊ /

adjective

1. relating to or employed in the transmission or reception of a televised image

2. of, concerned with, or operating at video frequencies

---

noun

1. the visual elements of a television broadcast

2. a film recorded on a video cassette

3. short for video cassette video cassette recorder

4. an informal name for television

verb

1. to record (a television programme, etc) on a video cassette recorder

Etymology

Origin of video

First recorded in 1930–35; from Latin vidē(re) “to see” + -o, as in audio

Explanation

Video is a noun that refers to the recording or broadcasting of a moving image, like the funny video your friend took of you the first time you tried to skateboard. Video means a recorded image or movie, like a home video of your uncle's wedding or the video equipment a television station uses to make news stories. You can also call a movie you watch on your television or computer a video. A short film made to accompany a song? That's a music video. Video was first used in 1935 as a counterpart to audio which describes sound or music. It comes from the Latin word video: I see.

Example Sentences

“Many Americans have a very low level of financial resilience,” read text overlaying one such video from state media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

She sent a video of the bloody cut to her primary-care doctor, and he told her how to dress it and avoid infection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

In an attempt to bolster their story, they even submitted a video of the incident — but it ultimately would be their undoing, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

The social media video appeared to have been posted by Iran-linked Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

I found Grandma in her office, grumbling at a video editor on her computer.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Related Words

• broadcast
• program
• television