animation

UK: /ˌænɪˈmeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/ ,(an′ə mā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•i•ma•tion /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/   n. 

1. animated quality;
   liveliness;
   enthusiasm:
   [uncountable] the animation on her face.
2. Show Business [uncountable] the process of preparing animated cartoons.
3. [countable]
   • an animated cartoon.

See -anima-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•i•ma•tion  (an′ə mā′shən), n. 

1. animated quality;
   liveliness;
   vivacity;
   spirit:
   to talk with animation.
2. an act or instance of animating or enlivening.
3. the state or condition of being animated.
4. Show Business the process of preparing animated cartoons.

• Latin animātiōn- (stem of animātiō a bestowing of life). See animate, -ion
• Middle French)
• 1590–1600; 1910–15 for def. 4; (

Synonyms

• 1. vigor, energy; enthusiasm, ardor; exhilaration, sprightliness.

Antonyms

• 1. sluggishness.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

animation / ˌænɪˈmeɪʃən/ noun

1. liveliness; vivacity
2. the condition of being alive
3. the techniques used in the production of animated cartoons
4. a variant of animated cartoon