imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē 

-mi-jə-

plural imageries

1

a

: pictures produced by an imaging system

b

: the product of image makers : images

also : the art of making images

2

: figurative language

3

: mental images

especially : the products of imagination

Examples of imagery in a Sentence

The book contains a great deal of sexual imagery.

The movie was full of biblical imagery.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Iran, this technique has been central to protest art, where artists reclaim revolutionary imagery, religious iconography, and even state propaganda to critique contemporary injustices. —Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025

Dennis Leupold The nails aren't the only throwback element of the imagery, either. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2025

Especially given the linkage between vodka and the USSR in Cold War imagery, the spirit became cooly subversive in a way whiskey couldn’t match. — Made By History, Time, 8 Apr. 2025

At times, the show’s imagery hits this point over the head: when this week’s episode opens, Joe is literally washing Halsey’s blood off of his boots, badge, and uniform. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymagerie "images portrayed in sculpture, painting, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French, from ymage, image image entry 1 + -erie -ery

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing imagery

• satellite imagery

Kids Definition

imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē 

plural imageries

1

: images that can be seen or that are imagined

2

: language that suggests how someone or something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes

Medical Definition

imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē 

plural imageries

: mental images

eidetic imagery

especially : the products of imagination

psychotic imagery