plural cartoons
1
: a preparatory design, drawing, or painting (as for a fresco)
2
a
: a drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor
a political cartoon
a cartoon drawing
b
: a group of drawings in narrative sequence : comic strip
3
: a video (such as a television show or movie) that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (such as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame : animated cartoon
4
: a ludicrously simplistic, unrealistic, or one-dimensional portrayal or version
The film's villain is an entertaining cartoon.
cartoon
verb
cartoonishly
adverb
Examples of cartoon in a Sentence
She enjoys reading the cartoons in the Sunday paper.
The kids are watching cartoons.
Recent Examples on the Web
Other than asking customers for menu item inspiration, the fast food chain turned to a beloved cartoon for some ideas.
—
Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
MiniStudio is also launching tools that allow users to create their own cartoons using the same AI workflows that power Fuzzlets.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
The Duffers loved a certain style of ‘80s and ‘90s all-family audience animation and cartoons, and this show is made in the spirit of that.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Doug's internal monologue was relatable in a way that most cartoons weren't.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
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.
Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
MiniStudio is also launching tools that allow users to create their own cartoons using the same AI workflows that power Fuzzlets.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
The Duffers loved a certain style of ‘80s and ‘90s all-family audience animation and cartoons, and this show is made in the spirit of that.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Doug's internal monologue was relatable in a way that most cartoons weren't.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Cite this Entry
“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartoon. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cartoon
noun
car·toon
kär-ˈtün 
1
: a design, drawing, or painting made as a model for the finished work
2
a
: a drawing intended as a humorous comment on public affairs
b
3
Etymology
from Italian cartone "pasteboard, a sketch of a planned drawing or painting done on heavy paper," from carta "sheet of paper," from Latin charta "piece of papyrus" — related to card entry 3, carton
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share