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

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

Over the years, Hezbollah, the Shia Muslim militia, political and social movement, cemented its position as Lebanon's most powerful group.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2025

“This is social movement organizing and what it takes to do collective direct action to effect material change in your lives. This shows how to fight authoritarian power.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025

I argue that nothing short of a major social movement can successfully dismantle the new caste system.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander