motion

¹mo·tion

noun \ˈmō-shən\

Definition of MOTION

1

a : an act, process, or instance of changing place : movement b : an active or functioning state or condition <set the divorce proceedings in motion>

2

: an impulse or inclination of the mind or will

3

a : a proposal for action; especially : a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly b : an application made to a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or direction

4

obsolete a : a puppet show b : puppet

5

: mechanism

6

a : an act or instance of moving the body or its parts : gesture b plural : activities, movements

7

: melodic change of pitch

— mo·tion·al \ˈmō-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— mo·tion·less \ˈmō-shən-ləs\ adjective

— mo·tion·less·ly adverb

— mo·tion·less·ness noun

— in motion

of an offensive football player : running parallel to the line of scrimmage before the snap

Examples of MOTION

1. She has a simple golf swing with no wasted motion.
2. the rhythmic motions of the waves
3. He caught the ball and flipped it back to me in one fluid motion.
4. The wax should be applied using a circular motion.
5. He made hand motions to get our attention.
6. She made a motion calling for the repeal of the law.
7. Her motion was voted on.
8. His lawyer filed a motion for a mistrial.
9. The judge denied a motion to delay the hearing.

Origin of MOTION

Middle English mocioun, from Anglo-French motion, from Latin motion-, motio movement, from movēre to move

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MOTION

Synonyms: movement, move, shift, shifting, stir, stirring

Antonyms: motionlessness

Related Words: dislocation, migration, relocation; locomotion, mobility, motility, motivity; fiddling, fidgeting, squirm, squirming, twitching, wriggling, writhing; flailing, flapping, waving

Near Antonyms: immobility; inertia, inertness, stillness; cessation, discontinuance, ending, expiration, finish, halt, lapse, pause, shutdown, shutoff, stop, stoppage, surcease, termination

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Rhymes with MOTION

Goshen, groschen, lotion, notion, ocean, potion