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

hand/eye/muscle movements

was entranced by the dancer's 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

a movement back to more therapeutic treatments

b(1)

: 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

(2)

: the people involved in such an effort

joined the movement

c

: a noticeable change in a situation

There has been no movement in the negotiations.

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 of movement

• shifting
• move
• shift
• motion
• relocation

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

But Moore’s story shows that the Black-nationalist movement also encompassed people who were willing to find areas of compromise in order to get the job done. —Dara T. Mathis, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025

This hairstyle is all about intentional shape, glossy movement, and loads of volume. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2025

But after Bush was elected as a Republican governor in 1998, the banner of school choice was raised high, and much of Bush’s attention on the charter school movement continued to take place in Miami. —Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025

All this movement can result in an upset digestive tract. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing movement

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

Rhymes for movement

• improvement

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