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 minions have appeared in six films since — three Despicable Me movies and, making the jump from sidekicks to stars, three Minions movies. — Taylor Swinton, Washington Post, 3 July 2026 The movie serves both as a farewell to the franchise, and a reminder of how years of addiction, feuds and legal battles pushed Margera — who had second-billing for the first three films — to the sidelines. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026 From there, the movie traces Washington’s military endeavors during the French and Indian War. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 July 2026 The grand jury of the festival, which takes place in the western Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary, will consider 12 movies for the top prize, the Crystal Globe. — ABC News, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 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

Nglish: Translation of movie for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about movie

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