move

1 of 2

verb

ˈmüv 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• relocate
• remove
• transfer
• shift

Noun

• means
• measure
• step
• shift
• action
• attempt

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

Hansboro was moving into her new home hours before her 6-year-old grandson found her body, the Indianapolis Star reported. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Lower policy rates relieve pressure on floating-rate borrowers and can compress credit spreads before earnings estimates move. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Noun

His first goal for Spain’s under-20s was similarly spectacular, starting the move against Mexico after an incisive pass into Virgili before sweeping into the far corner with an unstoppable first-time strike. —Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

Scripts are being changed now, Deadline reported, because the move was unexpected. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing move

• career move
• counter-move
• get a move on
• get/move on with one's life
• go/move upmarket
• go/move upscale
• make a move
• make the first move
• move ahead/along
• move a muscle
• move heaven and earth
• move in
• move in for the kill
• move in on
• move it
• move on
• move one's ass
• move out
• move/shift the goalposts
• move (someone) to tears
• move to
• move to tears
• move up in the world
• on the move
• risky move
• smart move

Rhymes for move

• groove
• prove
• approve
• disprove
• improve
• remove
• reprove
• disapprove

Kids Definition

move

1 of 2 verb

ˈmüv 

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

ˈmüv 

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