movement

noun

move·ment | \ ˈmüv-mənt

Definition of movement

1a(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

2a : 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

4a : 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

5a : 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)

6a : 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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about movement

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Synonyms & Antonyms for movement

Synonyms

motion, move, shift, shifting, stir, stirring

Antonyms

motionlessness

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

Krevat and her daughter Leah, 16, had been active in Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, grassroots movements to end gun violence, since the Parkland, FL, shooting in February 2018. — Natalie Gontcharova, refinery29.com, "My Son Survived The UNC-Charlotte Shooting. Here's What I Learned From The Experience.," 8 June 2019 Both styles of dance encourage movement and exercise. — Roy Kent, Houston Chronicle, "Kick off summer with adult ballet and tap classes," 7 June 2019 And though much of the movement’s frustrations are left unexplored, the show still manages a strong takedown of the male ego — all while delivering consistant laughs and solid performances. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Tony Awards 2019: All the Musicals Up for Best New Musical," 7 June 2019 And yet there remains a great deal of unease, among cultural conservatives, about the future of the country and the conservative movement itself. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "Ross Douthat Describes the Crisis of the Conservative Coalition," 7 June 2019 The body positivity movement entered social media in 2012, empowering women to embrace their bodies. — Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY, "Summer is sexist: Women have to sweat 'bikini bodies,' hair removal, camp and crime," 7 June 2019 The camera also has a motion detector and will start recording when movement is captured in a room. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Hidden cameras: How to find them in a bathroom, bedroom," 7 June 2019 Pure Barre focuses on isometric movements to build strength and lean muscles without impact. — Candice Terrell/share, Cincinnati.com, "Pure Barre’s record-setting ‘Barre on the Bridge’ is back," 7 June 2019 So far, 15 jurisdictions with a combined total of 189 electoral votes have signed on, according to the group that started the movement. — Nic Garcia, The Denver Post, "Organizers behind National Popular Vote law repeal say they’re halfway to signature goal for Colorado ballot," 7 June 2019

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