sound motion picture: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “sound motion picture” mean?
A motion picture with synchronized sound, especially as a historical term for films with recorded dialogue, music, and sound effects, distinguishing them from silent films.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A motion picture with synchronized sound, especially as a historical term for films with recorded dialogue, music, and sound effects, distinguishing them from silent films.
The technology, medium, or industry of producing films with sound; can be used metonymically to refer to the era of 'talkies' or to the cinematic experience itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term, but 'film' is more common than 'motion picture' in everyday British English. The full phrase is equally technical/historical in both.
Connotations
Evokes the early-to-mid 20th century, technological innovation, and the transition from silent cinema. Neutral-to-formal connotation.
Frequency
Very low in everyday language; appears in film history texts, museum exhibits, and academic discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sound motion picture” in a Sentence
The [first/early] sound motion picture [premiered/revolutionized...]the advent/development of the sound motion picturea [landmark/technicolor] sound motion pictureVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sound motion picture” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sound-motion-picture era began in the late 1920s.
- He specialised in sound-motion-picture restoration.
American English
- The sound-motion-picture industry boomed after 1927.
- It was a groundbreaking sound-motion-picture process.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in historical contexts of the film industry, e.g., 'Studios invested heavily in the transition to sound motion pictures.'
Academic
Common in film studies and media history, e.g., 'The essay analyzes the aesthetic impact of the early sound motion picture.'
Everyday
Rare; might be used when explaining film history or visiting a museum, e.g., 'My grandfather saw the first sound motion picture.'
Technical
Used in film preservation, archiving, and historical technical specifications, e.g., 'This projector is compatible with 35mm sound motion picture film.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sound motion picture”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sound motion picture”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sound motion picture”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'sound-motion-picture' (only hyphenated when used as a compound adjective, e.g., 'sound-motion-picture technology').
- Using it in a modern context where just 'film' or 'movie' is sufficient, e.g., 'Let's watch a sound motion picture tonight.' sounds archaic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'motion picture' is the general term for a film or movie. A 'sound motion picture' specifically refers to a film with synchronized sound, a distinction that was critically important during the transition from silent films in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
No, it is primarily a historical and technical term. Today, the presence of sound is assumed, so we simply say 'film' or 'movie.' The term is mostly used in film history, academia, and archival contexts.
There is debate among historians, as several early films had synchronized sound experiments. However, 'The Jazz Singer' (1927) is famously credited as the first feature-length motion picture with synchronized dialogue sequences, marking the commercial beginning of the 'talkie' era.
Yes, when hyphenated (sound-motion-picture), it can function as a compound adjective, e.g., 'sound-motion-picture technology.' This usage is also formal and historical.
A motion picture with synchronized sound, especially as a historical term for films with recorded dialogue, music, and sound effects, distinguishing them from silent films.
Sound motion picture is usually formal, historical, technical in register.
Sound motion picture: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊnd ˌməʊ.ʃən ˈpɪk.tʃər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊnd ˌmoʊ.ʃən ˈpɪk.tʃɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The talkies (informal historical idiom for sound motion pictures collectively)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SOUND + MOTION + PICTURE = A moving picture you can hear. Think of the first 'talkie,' 'The Jazz Singer' (1927), which added SOUND to the MOTION PICTURE.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION (The sound motion picture is a breakthrough that rendered the old technology obsolete.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate synonym for 'sound motion picture' in a historical context?