imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē How to pronounce imagery (audio)
-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
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 satellites are fitted with custom six-band, multispectral infrared cameras designed to capture imagery suitable for machine learning algorithms to accurately identify wildfires, differentiating them from misleading objects like smokestacks. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025 At Sotheby’s Story Café, the walls and accompanying props and furnishings will be covered, from floor to ceiling, with Aldridge’s kaleidoscopic imagery of women in the kitchen, including one carving ham. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025 Each puzzle features stunning and highly modern imagery that would look just as good hanging in your living room as it would being assembled on a table. Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025 Hopefully the Center provides immediately accessible text, at least for the portrait of the Center’s primary patron, Paul Mellon, which includes imagery of enslaved children. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imagery

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of imagery was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Imagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagery. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

imagery

noun
im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē How to pronounce imagery (audio)
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 How to pronounce imagery (audio)
plural imageries
: mental images
eidetic imagery
especially : the products of imagination
psychotic imagery

More from Merriam-Webster on imagery

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