move

verb

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\ ˈmüv

moved; moving

Definition of move

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a(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.

5a : 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

1a(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

2a(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

5a : 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

6a 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 house

British : to change one's residence

move

noun

Definition of move (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the act of moving a piece (as in chess)

b : the turn of a player to move

2a : 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

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 Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about move

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Choose the Right Synonym for move

Verb

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 Chauvin didn’t move even as Floyd’s body went limp. — Michael Tarm, ajc, "EXPLAINER: Video dominates trial in George Floyd's death," 31 Mar. 2021 Though the state didn't formally move to secede with the Confederacy, slavery was legal in Maryland ahead of the Civil War, and a good deal of the population supported secession. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "Maryland moves to repeal its state song, a pro-Confederate anthem that urges violence and calls Lincoln a 'despot'," 30 Mar. 2021 The 5-year-old Brandon Crawford standing at the railing in the front row at Candlestick Park next to a sign pleading for the Giants to stay in San Francisco and not move to Florida. — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, "Who among Posey, Crawford and Belt could return to Giants in 2022?," 30 Mar. 2021 Dennis Schroder added 17 points while promising youngster Talen Horton-Tucker, who the Lakers wouldn’t move ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, chipped in with 15 off the bench. — Chris Fedor, cleveland, "Cleveland Cavaliers doomed by another poor third quarter, lose to Los Angeles Lakers 100-86," 27 Mar. 2021 This all brings up one obvious question: Why not move? — Victoria Bekiempis, Curbed, "‘You Will End Up in the Back of a Garbage Truck’: Vero Wine Bar Lawsuit Claims Threats, Harassment," 26 Mar. 2021 Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody suggested legal action may be filed if the federal government doesn’t move to let cruise lines resume operations. — Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, "DeSantis demands the federal government end cruise ship ‘lockdown’," 26 Mar. 2021 When the owners decided not to move back from Europe, the couple bought the space and began raising their family there. — Parker Bowie Larson, ELLE Decor, "This Downtown New York Loft Is Designed for Maximum Family Fun," 24 Mar. 2021 There, the parents had expressed fears the student would be harassed or bullied if the school did not move quickly to adopt a gender inclusion policy. — Anthony Lonetree, Star Tribune, "Anoka-Hennepin school district settles transgender bias case over student locker-room access," 23 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun As Washington seeks to build a common front to challenge China’s autocracy at home and assertiveness abroad, Beijing is signaling its determination to stymie that move and to build alliances of its own. — Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, "Biden wants to beat China. Beijing says, bring it on.," 1 Apr. 2021 That move drew fire from conservatives who say the company is stifling GOP points of view. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court rules Facebook didn't violate U.S. robocall ban," 1 Apr. 2021 That move may have been made to protect the members of Letterman’s band, who accompanied the Beat Farmers for their network TV debut. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, "The Beat Farmers, who rose from Spring Valley in 1983 to rock the world, celebrated on new/old double-album," 27 Mar. 2021 That move was announced on the UAB women's basketball Twitter account Thursday morning. — Paul Boyd, Arkansas Online, "2 Razorbacks opting to enter WNBA Draft," 26 Mar. 2021 The earliest, Georgia, opened eligiblity to all on Thursday, according to CNN, and six more are slated to make that move before the end of March. — Emily Brindley, courant.com, "All Connecticut adults will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccine on April 1 as state moves up timeline for vaccination," 25 Mar. 2021 That move, coupled with the new lift station, should alleviate backups in basements in the area, Touchette said. — Karen Caffarini, chicagotribune.com, "Deal for lift station at park expected to help some Merrillville backup issues near Turkey Creek," 24 Mar. 2021 That move was intended to encourage more schools to open for in-person classes. — BostonGlobe.com, "US rushes to expand vaccine eligibility in a ‘race against time’," 20 Mar. 2021 Jennifer, of course, loves both of her parents and seems to be trying to help the situation by having her father stay in her house, but that move did put her very much in the middle of the conflict. — Mary Sollosi, EW.com, "The Week in ‘Wives: A RHONJ pool party, RHOD snake party, and RHOA wedding," 20 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'move.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.