motion
the action or process of moving or of changing place or position; movement.
power of movement, as of a living body.
the manner of moving the body in walking; gait.
a bodily movement or change of posture; gesture.
a proposal formally made to a deliberative assembly: to make a motion to adjourn.
Law. an application made to a court or judge for an order, ruling, or the like.
a suggestion or proposal.
an inward prompting or impulse; inclination: He will go only of his own motion.
Music. melodic progression, as the change of a voice part from one pitch to another.
Machinery.
a piece of mechanism with a particular action or function.
the action of such a mechanism.
to direct by a significant motion or gesture, as with the hand: to motion a person to a seat.
to make a meaningful motion, as with the hand; gesture; signal: to motion to someone to come.
Idioms about motion
go through the motions, to do something halfheartedly, routinely, or as a formality or façade.
in motion, in active operation; moving: The train was already in motion when he tried to board it.
Origin of motion
1synonym study For motion
Other words for motion
Other words from motion
- mo·tion·al, adjective
- mo·tion·er, noun
- in·ter·mo·tion, noun
- non·mo·tion, noun
- self-motion, noun
- un·der·mo·tion, noun
- un·mo·tioned, adjective
- un·mo·tion·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for motion (1 of 2)
/ (ˈməʊʃən) /
the process of continual change in the physical position of an object; movement: linear motion Related adjective: kinetic
a movement or action, esp of part of the human body; a gesture
the capacity for movement
a manner of movement, esp walking; gait
a mental impulse
a formal proposal to be discussed and voted on in a debate, meeting, etc
law an application made to a judge or court for an order or ruling necessary to the conduct of legal proceedings
British
the evacuation of the bowels
excrement
part of a moving mechanism
the action of such a part
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 (def. 3)
go through the motions
to act or perform the task (of doing something) mechanically or without sincerity
to mimic the action (of something) by gesture
in motion operational or functioning (often in the phrases set in motion, set the wheels in motion)
(when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to signal or direct (a person) by a movement or gesture
Origin of motion
1Derived forms of motion
- motional, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Motion (2 of 2)
/ (ˈməʊʃən) /
Sir Andrew. born 1952, British poet and biographer; his collections include Pleasure Steamers (1978) and Public Property (2002): poet laureate (1999–2009)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with motion
see go through the motions; set in motion; set the wheels in motion.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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