movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē 

1

: a recording of moving images that tells a story and that people watch on a screen or television : motion picture

watched a movie after dinner

a movie about the Civil War

an action movie

2

movies plural : 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

movies plural : the business of making movies : the motion-picture medium or industry

Synonyms

• film
• flick
• flicker
• motion picture
• moving picture
• picture

Examples of movie in a Sentence

He wants to work in the movies.

a career in the movies

Recent Examples on the Web

For a great film, and an even better true story behind it, check out some of the best movies inspired by real people that are streaming on Netflix right now. —Keith Langston, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025

In a recent interview while promoting his new movie Death of a Unicorn, the actor who plays Ant-Man in the MCU addressed his return to the superhero role. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025

Mostly its genre movies, things that really make money. —Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2025

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, what's 2025's most controversial movie of them all? —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

moving picture

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing movie

• B movie
• home movie
• movie house

Rhymes for movie

• groovy

Kids Definition

movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē 

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