social movement

American  

noun

1. a group of diffusely organized people or organizations striving toward a common goal relating to human society or social change, or the organized activities of such a group.

   The push for civil rights was a social movement that peaked in the 1950s and 1960s.

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Etymology

Origin of social movement

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

It is a political party represented in parliament and in the government, and a social movement that runs services including schools and hospitals in areas where the state has been absent.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Hu said he would be happy if his book helped improve the situation of delivery drivers, but "from a social movement perspective, literature is not very effective".

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

While some of that reflects the natural increase of the African population, the most important African social movement in modern times has been the explosive growth of Christianity across the continent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

“There has never been a successful social movement in this country that has not had a great soundtrack,” Morello said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025

Building a broad-based social movement, however, is not enough.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander