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.
This already excellent song is given a further boost by the astonishing visuals that accompany it, culminating in an explosion of color and Voodoo imagery that ranks amongst the finest work the studio has ever accomplished. Barry Levitt, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024 Part of the beauty of the imagery comes from Lachman shooting on black-and-white stock. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2024 Professor Jack Beard, a former Pentagon counsel who is one of the world’s leading experts on the mosaic of international treaties governing war crimes, told me in an interview that Planet’s powerful imagery will make for super-strong evidence at the Putin trial. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 Fans were attempting to dissect the hidden meaning behind Kendrick promoting the Compton Christmas Parade, while others pointed out imagery that appeared to be inspired by Isaac Hayes, Menace II Society and Ice-T’s 1988 Power album. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near imagery

Cite this Entry

“Imagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagery. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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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