image

1 of 2

noun

im·​age ˈi-mij How to pronounce image (audio)
1
a
: a visual representation of something: such as
(1)
: a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material
(2)
: a picture produced on an electronic display (such as a television or computer screen)
b
: the optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (such as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device
2
a(1)
: a mental picture or impression of something
had a negative body image of herself
(2)
: a mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and orientation
a disorderly courtroom can seriously tarnish a community's image of justiceHerbert Brownell
b
3
: a popular conception (as of a person, institution, or nation) projected especially through the mass media
promoting a corporate image of brotherly love and concernR. C. Buck
4
a
: exact likeness : semblance
God created man in his own imageGenesis 1:27 (Revised Standard Version)
b
: a person strikingly like another person
she is the image of her mother
5
a
: a tangible or visible representation : incarnation
the image of filial devotion
b
archaic : an illusory form : apparition
6
: a vivid or graphic representation or description
7
: a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing
especially : an imitation in solid form : statue
8
9
: a set of values given by a mathematical function (such as a homomorphism) that corresponds to a particular subset of the domain

image

2 of 2

verb

imaged; imaging

transitive verb

1
a
: to create a representation of
also : to form an image of
imaged Jupiter's rings
image the bone using X-rays
b
: to represent symbolically
2
: to call up a mental picture of : imagine
3
: to describe or portray in language especially in a vivid manner
4
b
: to make appear : project
5
: to make a disk image of
Many computer forensics programs now include the option of imaging a suspect drive.Yvonne Jewkes
imager noun

Examples of image in a Sentence

Noun She studied her image in the mirror. The kids sat staring at the images on the TV screen. painters capturing images of war black-and-white images of the city His poem evokes images of the sea and warm summer days. He is trying hard to improve his image. The law suit has negatively affected the company's public image. a politician who cares more about image than about telling the truth Verb in the painting Sacagawea is imaged as an intrepid woman pointing the way for Lewis and Clark the brochure images a vacation at the resort in language that makes you want to make a reservation this instant
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The user sent Steven two images of card No. 44 — with different jersey swatches. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The previous day, the singer shared a teaser for the song, including an image of himself riding a motorcycle at night. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Trending on Billboard Fallon then held up the album’s moody cover, which features a silhouette of Zayn’s face superimposed with an image of a space below a set of stairs in a home, and announced that the single is out on Friday (March 15), with the LP following on May 17. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 In September 2011, CNN’s Anderson Cooper aired a segment about a subreddit called r/jailbait that was associated with unconscionable images of children. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 One image is making the rounds on social media platforms like Facebook and BlueSky depicting what appears to be a lush green mountain with the L.A. skyline in the background. Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 When released, Murati says Sora likely won’t be able to produce images of public figures, similar to DALL-E’s policies. Emma Roth, The Verge, 13 Mar. 2024 With the recent explosion of AI, dazzling images, videos, audio and texts can now be easily generated by anyone with just a few simple inputs. Fox News Staff, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 The singer, 37, shared photos and images of herself taking the ride on her Instagram Story Friday. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
Verb
Astronomers recently used a combination of special telescopes to image the center of M87 and the supermassive black hole that dwells there. Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024 And if a reachable target is discovered, the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Comet Interceptor, slated to launch in 2029, could be redirected to image the visitor up close. Theo Nicitopoulos, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2024 The satellite that imaged Chernobyl in 1986 was known as Landsat. William J. Broad, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 The result: a series of design flourishes inside and outside the new Explorer, which goes on sale this summer. Concealed images a product’s fans will appreciate are called Easter eggs. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2024 Instead, authorities relied on sonar imaging to confirm the vehicle's position. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2024 Instead, healthcare providers must often use tests to rule out other conditions, or order imaging tests like MRIs for the brain. Julia Landwehr, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 Focusing On User Experience As underlying AI imaging technology increasingly commoditizes through open development, the biggest opportunities lie in creating delightful user experiences. Runde 'perseus' Yang, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Digital imaging technician Jota Salazar and advance unit cameraman Joshua Vela completed the technical crew that were armed with the latest in gear, including drones, underwater sea scooters and tow cams. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'image.' 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

Noun

Middle English, "effigy, figure, mental impression of something observed, reflection, resemblance," borrowed from Anglo-French, shortened from imagene, borrowed from Latin imāgin-, imāgō "representation, reflection, apparition, semblance, copy, visible form," from imā- (probably the stem of an otherwise unattested verb *imārī with the same base as imitārī "to follow as a pattern, copy") + -gin-, -gō, denominal or deverbal noun suffix — more at imitate

Verb

Middle English imagen, in part derivative of image image entry 1, in part borrowed from Middle French ymagier "to imagine," derivative of image

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of image was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near image

Cite this Entry

“Image.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/image. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

image

1 of 2 noun
im·​age ˈim-ij How to pronounce image (audio)
1
: something (as a statue) made to look like a person or thing
2
: a picture of an object formed by a device (as a mirror, lens, or electronic system)
3
: a likeness or picture produced on a photographic material or electronic display screen
4
: a person who looks very much like another
5
a
: a mental picture of something not actually present
b
: a mental picture created by words
c
: a popular idea of what something or someone is that is created especially by advertising and publicity

image

2 of 2 verb
imaged; imaging
1
: to describe in words or pictures
2
: to form an image of
3

Medical Definition

image

1 of 2 noun
im·​age ˈim-ij How to pronounce image (audio)
1
a
: the optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device see real image, virtual image
b
: a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material
2
: a mental picture or impression of something
had a negative body image of herself
: as
a(1)
: a mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and orientation
the compassionate small-town family doctor, an image that the AMA deeply admiresCurrent Biography
(2)
: an idealized conception of a person and especially a parent that is formed by an infant or child, is retained in the unconscious, and influences behavior in later life
the overwhelming influence of the mother imageJohn Messenger

called also imago

b
: the memory of a perception in psychology that is modified by subsequent experience
also : the representation of the source of a stimulus on a receptor mechanism

image

2 of 2 verb
imaged; imaging

transitive verb

1
: to call up a mental picture of : imagine
2
: to create a representation of
also : to form an image of
the liver was imaged
the animals were anesthetized and imaged with a gamma camera R. T. Proffitt et al.

intransitive verb

: to form an image

More from Merriam-Webster on image

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!