motion picture
noun
1
: a series of still pictures displayed on a screen in rapid succession so as to produce the optical effect of continuous video
2
a
: a representation (as of a story) by means of motion pictures
especially
: movie sense 1
starring in a major motion picture
—often used before another noun a motion picture screen
b
: the business or industry of making movies
—usually plural
a bigwig in motion pictures
Cite this Entry
“Motion picture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motion%20picture. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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