mass movement

American  

noun

1. an organized effort by a large number of people, especially those not forming part of the elite of a given society, to bring about pervasive changes in existing social, economic, or political institutions, frequently characterized by charismatic leadership.

---

Etymology

Origin of mass movement

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mass movement

It blamed human traffickers, and said they had strengthened, not eased, security measures in response to the mass movement of people toward the Ceuta border.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

The demonstrations started in late December sparked by economic grievances but grew into a mass movement against the Islamic republic, with huge street protests from January 8, when authorities imposed an internet blackout.

From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026

There is no doubt that there will be opposition, he said, but the mass movement behind him will overcome it.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025

That’s where you start to get into mass movement and mass liberation.

From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2025

A civil war had to be waged to end slavery; a mass movement was necessary to bring a formal end to Jim Crow.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander