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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.


Etymology

Origin of social movement

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

“He had the chutzpah to actually do something spectacular, which certain people find attractive and courageous,” said Jeff Goodwin, a New York University professor who studies social movements.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite the recent blows, it remains a powerful political party with representation in the government and parliament, and a significant social movement, providing services in areas where the state is absent.

From BBC

"We mobilized civil society, academia, the private sector, indigenous peoples, and social movements, making COP30 the COP with the second-highest participation in history."

From Barron's

History teaches us that the battle for equal justice under the law is never really over — that it may take a long time before social movements can achieve their goals.

From Salon