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
The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder.
—
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Ahsoka Tano Ahsoka Tano is a fan-favorite character from the Clone Wars cartoon, and she's brought to life in season 2 by Rosario Dawson.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
The actress, creator, writer, and producer is developing and set to star in a film adaptation of the cartoon icon, ABC has confirmed.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Created by Max Fleischer in 1930, Betty Boop appeared in more than 100 cartoons during her original run, evolving from a poodle-like nightclub singer into the fully human Jazz Age icon recognized around the world today.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
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Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Ahsoka Tano Ahsoka Tano is a fan-favorite character from the Clone Wars cartoon, and she's brought to life in season 2 by Rosario Dawson.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
The actress, creator, writer, and producer is developing and set to star in a film adaptation of the cartoon icon, ABC has confirmed.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Created by Max Fleischer in 1930, Betty Boop appeared in more than 100 cartoons during her original run, evolving from a poodle-like nightclub singer into the fully human Jazz Age icon recognized around the world today.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 May 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 24 May. 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
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