View synonyms for motion

motion

[ moh-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the action or process of moving or of changing place or position; movement.
power of movement, as of a living body.
the manner of moving the body in walking; gait.
Synonyms: carriage, bearing
a bodily movement or change of posture; gesture.
a proposal formally made to a deliberative assembly:
to make a motion to adjourn.
Law. an application made to a court or judge for an order, ruling, or the like.
a suggestion or proposal.
an inward prompting or impulse; inclination:
He will go only of his own motion.
Music. melodic progression, as the change of a voice part from one pitch to another.
Machinery.
1. a piece of mechanism with a particular action or function.
2. the action of such a mechanism.

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

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

motion

/ ˈməʊʃən /

noun

the process of continual change in the physical position of an object; movement kinetic
linear motion
a movement or action, esp of part of the human body; a gesture
1. the capacity for movement
2. a manner of movement, esp walking; gait
a mental impulse
a formal proposal to be discussed and voted on in a debate, meeting, etc
law an application made to a judge or court for an order or ruling necessary to the conduct of legal proceedings
1. the evacuation of the bowels
2. excrement
1. part of a moving mechanism
2. the action of such a part
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
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
in motion
operational or functioning (often in the phrases set in motion, set the wheels in motion )

verb

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

Motion

/ ˈməʊʃən /

noun

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)

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Derived Forms

ˈmotional, adjective

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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

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of motion¹

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

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

go through the motions, to do something halfheartedly, routinely, or as a formality or façade.
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 .

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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.

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Example Sentences

County fire or sheriff’s officials appear to have failed to set the alerts in motion, leaving many west Altadena residents to flee as flames and terrifying swirls of embers closed in around them.

From Los Angeles Times

The confidence motion was tabled by the government itself, after the opposition Socialists announced plans for a parliamentary inquiry into Montenegro's business dealings.

From BBC

The councillor said she was "physically sick" after putting forward the motion, and left "crying my eyes out" about it.

From BBC

The motion also lays out evidence of premeditation and the brothers’ attempts to cover their tracks.

From Los Angeles Times

Her name is in the title, her story set this world in motion.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

motility motion capture

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