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.

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Etymology

Origin of mass movement

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

So far, officials say there is no sign of mass movement toward Turkey linked to developments in Iran.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

“We’ve seen how there is power with a mass movement of people. And so we’re hoping that the same thing can happen in this case.”

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025

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

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2025

Sea-ice also plays an important role in the great ocean conveyor, the mass movement of water that helps distribute heat around the planet and keeps places like the UK and north-west Europe relatively mild.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

Brown did not end Jim Crow; a mass movement had to emerge first—one that aimed to create a new public consensus opposed to the evils of Jim Crow.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander