movement

noun

move·​ment ˈmüv-mənt How to pronounce movement (audio)
1
a(1)
: the act or process of moving
especially : change of place or position or posture
studying the movement of planets
(2)
: a particular instance or manner of moving
was entranced by her graceful movements
b(1)
: a tactical or strategic shifting of a military unit : maneuver
(2)
: the advance of a military unit
the steady movement of troops across the border
c
: action, activity
usually used in plural
carefully watched the movements of the crowd
2
a
: tendency, trend
detected a movement toward fairer pricing
b
: a series of organized activities working toward an objective
also : an organized effort to promote or attain an end
the civil rights movement
a movement to increase the minimum wage
3
: the moving parts of a mechanism that transmit a definite motion
4
b
: the rhythmic character or quality of a musical composition
a dance movement
c
: a distinct structural unit or division having its own key, rhythmic structure, and themes and forming part of an extended musical composition
The symphony consisted of three movements.
d
: particular rhythmic flow of language : cadence
a poem's movement
5
a
: the quality (as in a painting or sculpture) of representing or suggesting motion
b
: the vibrant quality in literature that comes from elements that constantly hold a reader's interest (such as a quickly moving action-filled plot)
6
a
: an act of voiding (see void entry 3 sense 2a) the bowels : bowel movement sense 3a
b
: matter expelled from the bowels at one passage : stool sense 3a

Examples of movement in a Sentence

He developed an efficient system for movement of raw materials to the factory. studying the movements of the planets We wore loose clothes to allow for easier movement. the graceful movements of a dancer The police have been keeping a careful record of his movements. There's a movement afoot to rename the town. a book about the history of the civil rights movement They joined the antiwar movement.
Recent Examples on the Web The watchmaker’s history of perpetual calendar movements dates back to 1967 with the caliber 2120/2800, which was housed in the thinnest selfwinding perpetual calendar wristwatch of its time. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 About four in 10 North Carolina primary voters call themselves part of the MAGA movement, and Trump overwhelmingly won those voters. Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 Pierre Suu/Getty Images The no-pants movement in fashion has been led by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, who have all traded traditional bottoms for underwear on various occasions as of late. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2024 Many reporters have become more outspoken since the social protest movements of 2020 in ways that have altered newsrooms and discomfited some of their peers. David Folkenflik, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 After punk came new wave and then the New Romantic movement. Billboard Italy, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Shortages have been especially tight at Waupun and Green Bay Correctional Institutions, where inmates' movement has been limited since March and June because of low staffing. Sophia Voight, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024 The movement was put together by various politicians and community organizers of Arab and Muslim descent, and intended as an act of electoral protest against President Joe Biden's unconditional support of the Israeli military. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Designing for the 1% Pulling away from meme-like fashion that has ruled runways and TikTok alike, the quiet luxury movement continues apace. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of movement was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near movement

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

movement

noun
move·​ment ˈmüv-mənt How to pronounce movement (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of moving
b
: an instance or manner of moving
observe the movement of a star
2
: a tendency or trend
detected a movement toward fairer pricing
3
a
: a program or series of acts working toward a desired end
a movement for political reform
b
: the group taking part in such a series of acts
join the movement
4
: a mechanical arrangement (as of wheels) for causing a particular motion (as in a clock or watch)
5
: a section of a longer piece of music
6

Medical Definition

movement

noun
move·​ment ˈmüv-mənt How to pronounce movement (audio)
1
: the act or process of moving
2
a
: an act of voiding the bowels : bowel movement
b
: matter expelled from the bowels at one passage : stool

More from Merriam-Webster on movement

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