move

1 of 2

verb

moved; moving

intransitive verb

1
a(1)
: to go or pass to another place or in a certain direction with a continuous motion
moved into the shade
(2)
: to proceed toward a certain state or condition
moving up the executive ladder
(3)
: to become transferred during play
checkers move along diagonally adjacent squares
(4)
: to keep pace
moving with the times
b
: to start away from some point or place : depart
It was getting late and I thought it was time to be moving.
c
: to change one's residence or location
decided to move to the city
2
: to carry on one's life or activities in a specified environment
moves in the best circles
3
: to change position or posture : stir
ordered him not to move
4
: to take action : act
The time has come to make up your mind and move.
5
a
: to begin operating or functioning or working in a usual way
pushed a button and the machine began moving
b
: to show marked activity
after a lull things really began to move
c
: to move a piece (as in chess or checkers) during one's turn
6
: to make a formal request, application, or appeal
moved that the meeting adjourn
7
: to change hands by being sold or rented
goods that moved slowly
8
of the bowels : evacuate

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to change the place or position of
moved the chair to a different part of the room
(2)
: to dislodge or displace from a fixed position : budge
The knife had sunk deeply into the wood and couldn't be moved.
b
: to transfer (something, such as a piece in chess) from one position to another
moved the bishop to take the knight
2
a(1)
: to cause to go or pass from one place to another with a continuous motion
move the flag slowly up and down
(2)
: to cause to advance
moved the troops closer to the enemy
b
: to cause to operate or function : actuate
this button moves the whole machine
c
: to put into activity or rouse up from inactivity
news that moved them from their torpor
3
: to cause to change position or posture
moved his lips but not a sound was heard
4
: to prompt or rouse to the doing of something : persuade
the report moved us to take action
5
a
: to stir the emotions, feelings, or passions of
deeply moved by such kindness
b
: to affect in such a way as to lead to an indicated show of emotion
the story moved her to tears
6
a
obsolete : beg
b
: to make a formal application to
7
: to propose formally in a deliberative assembly
moved the adjournment motion
8
: to cause (the bowels) to void
9
: to cause to change hands through sale or rent
The salesman moved three cars today.

move

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act of moving a piece (as in chess)
b
: the turn of a player to move
2
a
: a step taken especially to gain an objective : maneuver
a move to end the dispute
retiring early was a smart move
b
: the action of moving from a motionless position
c
: one of a pattern of dance steps
d
: a change of residence or location
e
: an agile or deceptive action especially in sports
Phrases
move house
British : to change one's residence
on the move
1
: in a state of moving about from place to place
2
: in a state of moving ahead or making progress
said that civilization is always on the move
Choose the Right Synonym for move

move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion.

move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

Examples of move in a Sentence

Verb He moved the chair closer to the table. It may be necessary to move the patient to intensive care. The breeze moved the branches of the trees. The branches moved gently in the breeze. She was unable to move her legs. She was so frightened that she could hardly move. I moved over so that she could sit next to me. We moved into the shade. The police were moving through the crowd telling people to move toward the exit. We could hear someone moving around upstairs. Noun He made a sudden move that scared away the squirrel. an athlete who has some good moves The policeman warned him not to make any false moves. He was afraid to make a move. No one is sure what his next move will be. He's preparing for his move to California.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But the teams that will move for him are playing the Bears — who are hibernating between a rock and hard place — like a Stradivarius. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 The urgency of remembering has only deepened for survivors as America moves further from the World Health Organization’s declaration of a coronavirus pandemic, four years ago this month. Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Governments gain trust Some of this rebound appears connected to the world moving beyond the Great Recession and the pandemic. Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2024 Across the Ohio River, in Jefferson County, Indiana, homes were damaged and trees and power lines were knocked down after a reported tornado moved through Thursday, Sgt. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Where did storms cause damage in Indiana? Randolph and Delaware Counties suffered the most severe damage from the system that moved through Thursday evening, according to the Indiana Emergency Management Agency. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024 The courtroom drama surrounding the prosecutors’ relationship had in recent weeks eclipsed the underlying facts of the election case itself, which had been moving briskly toward a trial. Danny Hakim, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 And recently, swivel chairs have proven to be the perfect trending piece that literally moves with the conversation. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2024 Artificially moving a forest, some biologists say, has risks. Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024
Noun
The restrictions in College Park come as, in a separate move, some Greek organizations at the University of Virginia voluntarily suspended social events for three weeks amid allegations that a student there was injured by hazing. Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 Another move Velez made headlines for was her 2023 New York Fashion Week show. Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Sinema’s move simplifies the electoral algebra in the race for her seat from a three-way contest with no recent comparison to a more traditional clash between a Democrat and a Republican. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 The move comes just weeks after J.P. Morgan Asset Management and State Street were roundly criticized for leaving the Climate Action 100+, a coalition of investors focused on working collaboratively to target the companies that are also the heaviest emitters of greenhouse gasses. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 In a rare legal move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey had argued for DeValkenaere’s convictions to be thrown out. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Those concerns prompted the Indiana Department of Child Services to cancel the nonprofit's residential licenses, a move that took effect Feb. 26. The Indianapolis Star, 5 Mar. 2024 The move is a part of the group’s perpetual balancing act to stabilize oil prices by reducing supply, reports my colleague Eva Rothenberg. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Critics say the move could have devastating consequences for Alabamans seeking fertility care. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'move.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French mover, moveir, from Latin movēre; probably akin to Sanskrit mīvati he moves, pushes

Noun

derivative of move entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of move was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near move

Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/move. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

move

1 of 2 verb
moved; moving
1
: to change the place or position of : shift
move the chair closer
2
: to go from one place to another
move into the shade
3
: to set in motion
moved their feet
4
a
: to cause a person to act or decide : persuade
the report moved me to change my mind
b
: to take action : act
5
: to affect the feelings of
the sad story moved me to tears
6
: to suggest according to the rules of a meeting
move to adjourn
7
: to change hands or cause to change hands through sale or rental
the store's stock must be moved
8
a
: to change residence
moved to Iowa
b
: to change place or position : stir
9
: to cause to function : operate
this button moves the whole machine
10
: to proceed in a certain direction
we're moving up in the world
11
: to carry on one's life in a particular environment
moves in the best circles
12
: to go away : depart
told them to move on
13
: to transfer a piece in a game (as chess) from one place to another
14
: to empty or cause to empty
move the bowels

move

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act of moving a piece in a game
b
: the turn of a player to move
2
a
: a step taken to achieve a goal : maneuver
b
: the action of moving : movement
c
: a change of residence or location

Medical Definition

move

verb
moved; moving

intransitive verb

1
: to go or pass from one place to another
2
of the bowels : to eject fecal matter : evacuate

transitive verb

1
: to change the place or position of
2
: to cause (the bowels) to void

Legal Definition

move

verb
moved; moving

intransitive verb

: to make a motion
moved to seize the property

transitive verb

: to request (a court) by means of a motion
moved the court to vacate the order

More from Merriam-Webster on move

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