motion

[ moh-shuhn ]

noun

1. the action or process of moving or of changing place or position; movement.
2. power of movement, as of a living body.
3. the manner of moving the body in walking; gait.

   Synonyms: carriage, bearing

4. a bodily movement or change of posture; gesture.
5. a proposal formally made to a deliberative assembly:

   to make a motion to adjourn.

6. Law. an application made to a court or judge for an order, ruling, or the like.
7. a suggestion or proposal.
8. an inward prompting or impulse; inclination:

   He will go only of his own motion.

9. Music. melodic progression, as the change of a voice part from one pitch to another.
10. Machinery.
    1. a piece of mechanism with a particular action or function.
    2. the action of such a mechanism.

verb (used with object)

1. to direct by a significant motion or gesture, as with the hand:

   to motion a person to a seat.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a meaningful motion, as with the hand; gesture; signal:

   to motion to someone to come.

motion

¹

/ ˈməʊʃən /

noun

1. the process of continual change in the physical position of an object; movement kinetic

   linear motion

2. a movement or action, esp of part of the human body; a gesture
3. 1. the capacity for movement
   2. a manner of movement, esp walking; gait
4. a mental impulse
5. a formal proposal to be discussed and voted on in a debate, meeting, etc
6. law an application made to a judge or court for an order or ruling necessary to the conduct of legal proceedings
7. 1. the evacuation of the bowels
   2. excrement
8. 1. part of a moving mechanism
   2. the action of such a part
9. 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
10. go through the motions
    1. to act or perform the task (of doing something) mechanically or without sincerity
    2. to mimic the action (of something) by gesture
11. in motion
    operational or functioning (often in the phrases set in motion, set the wheels in motion )

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive to signal or direct (a person) by a movement or gesture

Motion

²

/ ˈməʊʃən /

noun

1. MotionAndrew1952MBritishWRITING: poetWRITING: biographer Sir Andrew. born 1952, British poet and biographer; his collections include Pleasure Steamers (1978) and Public Property (2002): poet laureate (1999–2009)

Derived Forms

• ˈmotional, adjective

Other Words From

• motion·al adjective
• motion·er noun
• inter·motion noun
• non·motion noun
• self-motion noun
• under·motion noun
• un·motioned adjective
• un·motion·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motion¹

First recorded before 1350–1400; Middle English mocio(u)n, from Latin mōtiōn- (stem of mōtiō ), equivalent to mōt(us) (past participle of movēre move ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of motion¹

C15: from Latin mōtiō a moving, from movēre to move

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go through the motions, to do something halfheartedly, routinely, or as a formality or façade.
2. in motion, in active operation; moving:

   The train was already in motion when he tried to board it.

More idioms and phrases containing motion

see go through the motions ; set in motion ; set the wheels in motion .

Synonym Study

Motion, move, movement refer to change of position in space. Motion denotes change of position, either considered apart from, or as a characteristic of, something that moves; usually the former, in which case it is often a somewhat technical or scientific term: perpetual motion. The chief uses of move are founded upon the idea of moving a piece, in chess or a similar game, for winning the game, and hence the word denotes any change of position, condition, or circumstances for the accomplishment of some end: a shrewd move to win votes. Movement is always connected with the person or thing moving, and is usually a definite or particular motion: the movements of a dance.

Example Sentences

“Hannah taught me that every wheelchair user’s range of motion is different, so we would just go move by move and feel it out, like we do with any dancer.”

From Los Angeles Times

The wide head and narrow oval tail create a slope for each grain, leading to spin and rolling motion when sliding down slopes.

From Science Daily

Set in motion by Ani Taj’s choreography, these performers flaunt their individuality like nothing could be more magnificent.

From Los Angeles Times

Neither Olmedo’s order nor the prosecution’s sanction motion mentioned the church in relation to the incidents with the jurors.

From Los Angeles Times

With Trump's inauguration just weeks away, little time remained on the calendar for a new round of motions and briefs, Mr Epner said.

From BBC