moved; moving
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
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.
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
Synonyms
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
Given Apple’s huge following, rave reviews, and popularity around the holidays, many of these gadgets are likely to move quickly or sell out completely before Black Friday ends.
—Jessica Leigh Mattern, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
But as the moving new documentary American Symphony shows, Batiste, like so many artists, has a complex private life that his public rarely glimpses.
—Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2023
The Planning Commission voted 6-0 during its meeting last week to move ahead with a code change that would allow for no more than 30 short-term rental permits to be approved...
—Marc Hayot, arkansasonline.com, 24 Nov. 2023
The fourth Thursday – On Dec. 26, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill that moved national Thanksgiving observances to the fourth Thursday of November, according to the Library of Congress.
—Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023
The couple moved several times during his Navy service, with each of their four children born in different U.S. states.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 23 Nov. 2023
While Rosalynn was able to move around with a walker until last week, Jimmy has used a wheelchair for months.
—Mary Jordan, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023
Asa Hutchinson Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson held more than a dozen events in Iowa this past week as his campaign commits to keep moving forward after failing to make the second and third debate stages.
—Kendall Ross, ABC News, 23 Nov. 2023
The Editors, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2023
Luckily, Reeves wasn't playing a pro surfer, and his awkward moves fit his role as FBI agent Johnny Utah, who goes undercover to investigate the surf community.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
But others say a crackdown would be the wrong move, contending that letting dogs run off leash is a victimless crime and that enforcement shouldn’t be a high priority.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023
The move came after heavy fighting and bombardment in northern Gaza, where the Indonesian Hospital is based.
—NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023
The moves have done little to boost prices amid booming U.S. shale output, more Iranian crude reaching China and weaker-than-expected demand growth in some parts of the world.
—David Uberti, WSJ, 22 Nov. 2023
Since Jin’s move nearly a year ago, the band has already been winding down towards hiatus and band members expanding their solo careers.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
Nadella’s moves this weekend broadly align with the framework that Frei outlines in her new book Move Fast and Fix Things, coauthored with her wife Anne Morriss, a noted leadership coach.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
At first, many characterized the move as a coup by Sutskever.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023
See More
Verb
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11/20
Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener (Refurbished)
The coolest feature of the Dyson Corrale is the flexible plates that move with the hair.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
Given Apple’s huge following, rave reviews, and popularity around the holidays, many of these gadgets are likely to move quickly or sell out completely before Black Friday ends.
—Jessica Leigh Mattern, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
But as the moving new documentary American Symphony shows, Batiste, like so many artists, has a complex private life that his public rarely glimpses.
—Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2023
The Planning Commission voted 6-0 during its meeting last week to move ahead with a code change that would allow for no more than 30 short-term rental permits to be approved...
—Marc Hayot, arkansasonline.com, 24 Nov. 2023
The fourth Thursday – On Dec. 26, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill that moved national Thanksgiving observances to the fourth Thursday of November, according to the Library of Congress.
—Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023
The couple moved several times during his Navy service, with each of their four children born in different U.S. states.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 23 Nov. 2023
While Rosalynn was able to move around with a walker until last week, Jimmy has used a wheelchair for months.
—Mary Jordan, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023
Asa Hutchinson Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson held more than a dozen events in Iowa this past week as his campaign commits to keep moving forward after failing to make the second and third debate stages.
—Kendall Ross, ABC News, 23 Nov. 2023
Noun
Johnson has a long legislative to-do list when the House returns to Washington after Thanksgiving, and with Republicans holding a razor-thin majority, his moves will be scrutinized by Republicans and Democrats alike.
—The Editors, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2023
Luckily, Reeves wasn't playing a pro surfer, and his awkward moves fit his role as FBI agent Johnny Utah, who goes undercover to investigate the surf community.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
But others say a crackdown would be the wrong move, contending that letting dogs run off leash is a victimless crime and that enforcement shouldn’t be a high priority.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023
The move came after heavy fighting and bombardment in northern Gaza, where the Indonesian Hospital is based.
—NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023
The moves have done little to boost prices amid booming U.S. shale output, more Iranian crude reaching China and weaker-than-expected demand growth in some parts of the world.
—David Uberti, WSJ, 22 Nov. 2023
Since Jin’s move nearly a year ago, the band has already been winding down towards hiatus and band members expanding their solo careers.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
Nadella’s moves this weekend broadly align with the framework that Frei outlines in her new book Move Fast and Fix Things, coauthored with her wife Anne Morriss, a noted leadership coach.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
At first, many characterized the move as a coup by Sutskever.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023
See More
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
Phrases Containing move
Articles Related to move
Dictionary Entries Near move
Cite this Entry
“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/move. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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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
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
Medical Definition
move
verb
moved; moving
1
: to go or pass from one place to another
2
of the bowels
: to eject fecal matter : evacuate
Legal Definition
move
verb
moved; moving
: to make a motion
moved to seize the property
: to request (a court) by means of a motion
moved the court to vacate the order
More from Merriam-Webster on move
Nglish: Translation of move for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of move for Arabic Speakers
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