imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē How to pronounce imagery (audio)
-mi-jə-
plural imageries
1
a
: pictures produced by an imaging system
imagery from the satellite
b
: the product of image makers : images
A host of computer animation tools … have made it easier to create, manipulate, and multiply imagery.—Dike Blair et al.
also : the art of making images
2
: figurative language
a poem with biblical imagery
3
: mental images
especially : the products of imagination

Examples of imagery in a Sentence

The book contains a great deal of sexual imagery. The movie was full of biblical imagery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This poppy, edgy fusion of imagery and sound creates a unique world pulsing at the seams. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 To address this challenge, the researchers fed their high-resolution drone imagery into a machine learning model. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 For example, neutron stars and black holes register as piano notes, while Hubble optical imagery becomes the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 4 July 2026 The change resulted in now-infamous imagery of Hernandez sharing podium spots with the female second-place finishers. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for imagery

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymagerie "images portrayed in sculpture, painting, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French, from ymage, image image entry 1 + -erie -ery

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of imagery was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing imagery

Browse Nearby Words

imager
imagery
image slicer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagery. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

imagery

noun
im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē How to pronounce imagery (audio)
plural imageries
1
: images that can be seen or that are imagined
2
: language that suggests how someone or something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes

Medical Definition

imagery

noun
im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē How to pronounce imagery (audio)
plural imageries
: mental images
eidetic imagery
especially : the products of imagination
psychotic imagery

More from Merriam-Webster on imagery

Nglish: Translation of imagery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagery

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