motion

[moh-shuhn]

noun

1. the action or process of moving or of changing place or position; movement.

2. power of movement, as of a living body.

3. the manner of moving the body in walking; gait.

   Synonyms: carriage, bearing

4. a bodily movement or change of posture; gesture.

5. a proposal formally made to a deliberative assembly.

   to make a motion to adjourn.

6. Law.,  an application made to a court or judge for an order, ruling, or the like.

7. a suggestion or proposal.

8. an inward prompting or impulse; inclination.

   He will go only of his own motion.

9. Music.,  melodic progression, as the change of a voice part from one pitch to another.

10. Machinery.

    1. a piece of mechanism with a particular action or function.

    2. the action of such a mechanism.

verb (used with object)

1. to direct by a significant motion or gesture, as with the hand.

   to motion a person to a seat.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a meaningful motion, as with the hand; gesture; signal.

   to motion to someone to come.

motion

¹

/ ˈməʊʃən /

noun

1. the process of continual change in the physical position of an object; movement

   linear motion

2. a movement or action, esp of part of the human body; a gesture

3. 1. the capacity for movement

   2. a manner of movement, esp walking; gait

4. a mental impulse

5. a formal proposal to be discussed and voted on in a debate, meeting, etc

6. law an application made to a judge or court for an order or ruling necessary to the conduct of legal proceedings

7. 1. the evacuation of the bowels

   2. excrement

8. 1. part of a moving mechanism

   2. the action of such a part

9. music the upward or downward course followed by a part or melody. Parts whose progressions are in the same direction exhibit similar motion , while two parts whose progressions are in opposite directions exhibit contrary motion See also parallel

10. 1. to act or perform the task (of doing something) mechanically or without sincerity

    2. to mimic the action (of something) by gesture

11. operational or functioning (often in the phrases set in motion, set the wheels in motion )

verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to signal or direct (a person) by a movement or gesture

Motion

²

/ ˈməʊʃən /

noun

1. Sir Andrew. born 1952, British poet and biographer; his collections include Pleasure Steamers (1978) and Public Property (2002): poet laureate (1999–2009)

Other Word Forms

• motional adjective
• motioner noun
• intermotion noun
• nonmotion noun
• self-motion noun
• undermotion noun
• unmotioned adjective
• unmotioning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motion¹

First recorded before 1350–1400; Middle English mocio(u)n, from Latin mōtiōn- (stem of mōtiō ), equivalent to mōt(us) (past participle of movēre move ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of motion¹

C15: from Latin mōtiō a moving, from movēre to move

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go through the motions, to do something halfheartedly, routinely, or as a formality or façade.

2. in motion, in active operation; moving.

   The train was already in motion when he tried to board it.

see go through the motions; set in motion; set the wheels in motion.

Synonym Study

Motion, move, movement refer to change of position in space. Motion denotes change of position, either considered apart from, or as a characteristic of, something that moves; usually the former, in which case it is often a somewhat technical or scientific term: perpetual motion. The chief uses of move are founded upon the idea of moving a piece, in chess or a similar game, for winning the game, and hence the word denotes any change of position, condition, or circumstances for the accomplishment of some end: a shrewd move to win votes. Movement is always connected with the person or thing moving, and is usually a definite or particular motion: the movements of a dance.

Example Sentences

McSorley, who had been awake for 24 hours, must have been tired and may have suffered from “motion fatigue,” which can cause confusion even in experienced sailors.

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The movement here is light, pain-free and focused on maintaining a range of motion.

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Most sports demand constant motion, but skating involves working on a trick for maybe an hour, then desperately seeking cover from the sun to hydrate.

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"I deeply appreciate the strong support received today," the European Commission president wrote on X following the defeat of the motions brought by the far-right and hard-left.

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Fermi is like a car being built while it’s already in motion.

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Related Words

• plan 
• proposal 
• proposition 
• recommendation 
• submission