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
moved over so they could sit down
(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/get moving.
c
: to change one's residence or location
decided to move to the city
The company moved from Phoenix to Atlanta.
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
The branches moved gently in the breeze.
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.
(3)
: to cause to happen at a different time
moved the meeting to tomorrow
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
were moved to tears by the story
He's not easily moved to anger.
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.
see also move ahead, move house, move in, move in on, move it, move on, move out
1
a
: the action of moving from a motionless position
made a sudden move that scared the birds
warned by the police not to make any false moves
b
: a step taken especially to gain an objective : maneuver
a move to end the dispute
a smart career move
We were waiting for them to make the first move. [=to act first]
c
: one of a pattern of dance steps
d
: a change of residence or location
e
: an agile or deceptive action especially in sports
2
a
: the act of moving a piece (as in chess)
b
: the turn of a player to move
see also on the move
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
Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
The essay moves through three parts, from an opening scene of conflict to a middle section that narrates how Didion gradually grew to distrust police, and onto a last section that reflects on the crumbling of police authority and credibility.
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 11 Dec. 2025
The move rescinds regulations enacted in 1973, which DOJ officials say were never part of the original Civil Rights Act passed by Congress.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for move
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
With the help of therapy and her parents, Wilson moved past this scary experience.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
The essay moves through three parts, from an opening scene of conflict to a middle section that narrates how Didion gradually grew to distrust police, and onto a last section that reflects on the crumbling of police authority and credibility.
—Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
Noun
The move continues a new approach to homelessness under Mayor Kevin McCarty and Brian Pedro, the director for the Department of Community Response, amid an ongoing budget deficit and decreased state funding.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 11 Dec. 2025
The move rescinds regulations enacted in 1973, which DOJ officials say were never part of the original Civil Rights Act passed by Congress.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for move
Cite this Entry
“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/move. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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