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.
Name Controversy Along with adopting the Chiefs name, the team began to adopt Native American imagery. Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025 Insanely constructed and unforgettable in its imagery, this is one of the best genre films of the 2020s. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025 As seen in throwback ’90s red carpet imagery, power suits were all the rage at the time. Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025 The watercolor by painter Amy Park that Rickard sourced from art advisor Annie Wharton reinterprets select Ed Ruscha imagery of buildings on Sunset Boulevard. Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 2 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near imagery

Cite this Entry

“Imagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagery. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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