slow motion

US: (slō′mō′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈslow ˈmo•tion, n. [uncountable]

1. Radio and Television, Show Business the process or technique of filming or taping a motion-picture or television sequence at a faster rate of speed and then projecting or replaying it at normal speed so that the action appears to be slowed down.

slow-mo•tion, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

slow′ mo′tion, 

1. Radio and Television, Show Business the process or technique of filming or taping a motion-picture or television sequence at an accelerated rate of speed and then projecting or replaying it at normal speed so that the action appears to be slowed down.
2. Show Business, Radio and Television the effect thus created.
• 1920–25

slow-mo•tion  (slō′mō′shən), adj. 

1. Show Business of, pertaining to or made in slow motion:
   a slow-motion replay.
2. Show Business moving or proceeding at a strikingly slow rate:
   slow-motion progress toward a settlement.

• 1925–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

slow motion noun

1. action that is made to appear slower than normal by passing the film through the taking camera at a faster rate than normal or by replaying a recording more slowly

adjective slow-motion

1. of or relating to such action
2. moving or functioning at less than usual speed