motion

American  

[moh-shuhn] / ˈmoʊ ʃən /

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.

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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.

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.

motion ¹ British  

/ 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 )

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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 British  

/ 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)

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motion More Idioms  

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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of motion

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

Explanation

Motion is the way things get from place to place. The ball rolling down a hill is in motion, and as Isaac Newton once proved, it will remain in motion until it hits a wall or something else that makes it stop. When motion is used as a noun, it describes movement, like the motion that propels a car from one end of the highway to another. When used as a verb, motion means to signal or direct. "A restaurant patron will motion to the server when he's ready for the check." Someone who is just "going through the motions" doesn't have to move at all, because they're just pretending.

Example Sentences

Only after the case gained widespread media attention did the firm representing Disney agree to withdraw the motion.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

The NFL is going Hollywood, looking to expand its audience with theatrical motion pictures and its first scripted streaming series.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

His lawyer filed a lengthy motion that persuaded investigators to drop the warrant, and McCoy moved on with his life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Purdue and its attorneys moved to formally eliminate most of the 80,000 individuals who missed the deadline from any payout under this settlement plan, and the judge approved the expungement motion Tuesday.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

“It’s...not my birthday, is it?” said Boaz, yanking up the collar of his sweatshirt and hoping Aunt Hila didn’t notice the motion.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• plan
• proposal
• proposition
• recommendation
• submission