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 This could be intentional: If such imagery has a market, maybe companies would begin to converge around it. Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2024 The film is rooted in an ancestral, almost sacred territory – Alentejo in Portugal – allowing for the intrusion of symbolic imagery. Lucía Requejo, Variety, 14 Aug. 2024 Taking charge of the narrative surrounding the Kim/Kanye phone call drama, Taylor adopted the snake — a symbol originally used against her — as the motif of the era, especially the imagery of a snake shedding their skin in order to regenerate themselves. Courtesy Of Esther Newman., refinery29.com, 14 Aug. 2024 With a focus on timepieces and jewelry, the imagery highlights the gold-tone Maren watch, a pavé-trimmed rose gold-tone Sag watch, a petite Lexington watch in gold-tone with pave trim and the brand’s Emery wrap watch. Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imagery 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imagery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 11 Sep. 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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