movement

noun

move·​ment ˈmüv-mənt 

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

a

: motion sense 7

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

Synonyms

• motion
• move
• shift
• shifting
• stir
• stirring

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

In the clip, Ortega’s Astrid Deetz and Catherine O’Hara’s Delia Deetz mirror each other’s movements in a round of choreography that leaves them both looking perplexed, as though they’ve been possessed and aren’t in control of their own bodies. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2024

There is nothing more powerful than the ability to unify through sport, and drive movements towards a brighter and inspirational future. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 July 2024

With his ascension to the 2024 presidential ticket as Donald Trump’s running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance has vaulted into the role of heir-apparent of the MAGA movement and become instant White House contender for 2028. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 18 July 2024

The bottom line is that before the last few days of explosive movement, IWM had taken its time coming back post the 2022 bear market. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 17 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing movement

• bowel movement
• counter-movement
• euglenoid movement
• Oxford movement
• pincer movement
• rapid eye movement
• rapid eye movement sleep

Kids Definition

movement

noun

move·​ment ˈmüv-mənt 

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

: bowel movement

Medical Definition

movement

noun

move·​ment ˈmüv-mənt 

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