Example of a modern cartoon. The text was excerpted by cartoonist Greg Williams from the Wikipedia articleDr. Seuss.

Acartoonis a form of two-dimensionalvisual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to adrawingorpaintingintended forsatire,caricature, orhumor, or to the artistic style of such works. An artist who creates cartoons is called acartoonist.^[1]

The term originated in theMiddle Agesand first described a preparatory drawing for a piece of art, such as a painting,fresco,tapestry, orstained glasswindow. In the 19th century, it came to refer to humorous illustrations in magazines and newspapers, and in the early 20th century and onward it referred tocomic stripsandanimatedfilms and television programs.^[2]