movement

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 pluralcarefully 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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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 When the case failed to gain traction, Cusseaux’s mother, Fran Garrett, took her daughter’s casket to City Hall, sparking the #SayHerName movement, Crenshaw said. — Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, "Mercury star Brittney Griner is comfortable with sports world at center of cultural shift," 1 Aug. 2020 Garza’s demand is a sign of how far the movement has come. — Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, "Black Lives Matter co-creator: Biden must choose a Black woman for VP," 1 Aug. 2020 The prototype exhibits a degree of lean in slower corners, but the improved action of the adaptive dampers keeps the initial movement of the body controlled before the roll sets in. — Greg Kable, Car and Driver, "We Ride Shotgun in the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI," 1 Aug. 2020 He was banned from A Voice for Men, Elam said, and ostracized by the larger men’s movement. — Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY, "'Lunatic hiding in plain sight': The bitter tale of a woman-hating lawyer who killed a rival and a judge's son," 1 Aug. 2020 Like many pivotal moments of the city’s protest movement, the scenes were captured in photographs and live-streams by journalists and bystanders. — Timothy Mclaughlin, The Atlantic, "A Newsroom at the Edge of Autocracy," 1 Aug. 2020 The warrants are the first example of the city's law enforcement using extraterritorial power to go after activists who aren't living in Hong Kong since Beijing passed a new national security law that seeks to undermine the movement. — Tim O'donnell, TheWeek, "10 things you need to know today: August 1, 2020," 1 Aug. 2020 Stars forward Tyler Seguin has previously spoken about Black Lives Matter, posting a statement on social media in June supporting the movement, and attending a protest in Dallas following the killing of George Floyd. — Matthew Defranks, Dallas News, "Stars, Predators link arms during national anthems ahead of NHL exhibition game," 31 July 2020 The special will explore Lewis' life before the civil rights movement, his work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his efforts to fight against bullies and bigots, his unmatched work in Congress and his devotion to faith. — CBS News, "Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Gayle King and Brad Pitt host "John Lewis: Celebrating a Hero" on CBS," 31 July 2020

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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