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

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 In 1952, a group of parents created United Cerebral Palsy's central Arizona chapter as part of the movement to help parents raise their children at home instead of in an institution. — Roxanne De La Rosa, The Arizona Republic, 14 Oct. 2021 Read this report on an open letter from transportation industry groups calling for more freedom of movement in the world for transportation workers and access to Covid-19 vaccines to avoid a transportation industry collapse. — Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 13 Oct. 2021 The continuation of the movement was so languid and sensuous. — Lynette Rice, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2021 Under Israeli law, supporters of the movement can be denied entry to Israel. — Saphora Smith, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2021 Both the musician and the company are passionate about the power of movement to elicit positive physical, mental and societal change. — Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2021 While her current club isn’t in the forefront, Krieger has been focused on another epicenter of the movement — her hometown club, the Washington Spirit. — Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 10 Oct. 2021 Investigators, however, are expected to consider other forces that could have moved and damaged the pipe, including water currents of movement in the seabed. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2021 Investigators, however, are expected to consider other forces that could have moved and damaged the pipe, including water currents of movement in the seabed. — Matthew Brown, Chron, 8 Oct. 2021

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.

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