animated cartoon

noun

plural animated cartoons
: a video (such as a television show or movie) that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (such as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame : cartoon

Examples of animated cartoon in a Sentence

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.
Olivia Rodrigo went vintage for Halloween this year, opting to dress up as the iconic animated cartoon character, Betty Boop. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2022 To the narcissist, all other people are cardboard cutouts, two-dimensional animated cartoon characters, or symbols. Olivia Muenter, Woman's Day, 14 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animated cartoon was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“Animated cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated%20cartoon. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

animated cartoon

noun
: a movie that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that gives the appearance of motion by small changes in each frame

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