movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē How to pronounce movie (audio)
plural movies
Synonyms of movienext
1
: a recording of moving images that tells a story and that people watch (as in a theater or on the screen of a television or mobile device) : motion picture sense 2a
watched a movie after dinner
a movie about the Civil War
an action movie
especially : a feature-length film shown in a movie theater
2
the movies : a showing of a motion picture especially in a theater
went to the movies last Friday
also : a theater that shows movies
What's playing at the movies?
3
the movies : the business of making movies : the medium or industry of film

Synonyms of movie

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Examples of movie in a Sentence

He wants to work in the movies. a career in the movies
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.
The movie is based on Anthony Yerkovich’s iconic 1980s TV cop show. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Critics in smaller markets serve readers who might otherwise have little access to independent coverage of the movies. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026 Five Post Opinions staff members share which scary movies are their favorites. — Washington Post Opinions, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 His character was the son of his original series character; the name Anton was chosen to honor Anton Yelchin, who played Chekov in the 2010s Star Trek movies and died in a 2016 accident. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for movie

Word History

Etymology

moving picture

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of movie was in 1909

Phrases Containing movie

Rhymes for movie

See All Rhymes for movie

Browse Nearby Words

move up in the world
movie
moviedom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Movie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/movie. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

movie

noun
mov·​ie ˈmü-vē How to pronounce movie (audio)
1
: motion picture sense 1
2
a
: a story represented in motion pictures
b
pl : a showing of a movie
went to the movies yesterday
3
plural : the business of making movies : the motion-picture industry

More from Merriam-Webster on movie

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about movie

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