motion — English Dictionary

motion
Pronunciations (4)
  • /ˈməʊ.ʃən/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ˈmoʊ.ʃən/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American
  • ˈməʊʃən
    Pronunciation notes
    • GB
  • ˈmoʊʃən
    Pronunciation notes
    • US

Noun

  1. A change whereby something goes from one place to another; a state of progression from one place to another; a change of position with respect to time.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Synonyms
    Antonyms
    Examples

    This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its motion.

    More examples (2)

    Secondly, When a body is once in motion it will continue to move forever, unless something stops it. When a ball is struck on the surface of the earth, the friction of the earth and the resistance of the air soon stop its motion.

    Several parties of hop-pickers joined the train at the intermediate stations, and the guard performed the acrobatic feat of walking along the footboards of the coaches to examine tickets, while the train was in motion.

  2. A parliamentary action to propose something. A similar procedure in any official or business meeting.

    Usage
    • Countable
    Examples

    The motion to amend is now open for discussion.

    Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.

  3. An entertainment or show, especially a puppet show.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Obsolete
    • Uncountable
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    when God gave him reason, he gave him freedom to choose, for reason is but choosing; he had bin else a meer artificiall Adam, such an Adam as he is in the motions.

  4. from κίνησις (kinesis); any change. Traditionally of four types: generation and corruption, alteration, augmentation and diminution, and change of place.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    I say, it is no uneven jot, to pass from the more faint and obscure examples of Spermatical life to the more considerable effects of general Motion in Minerals, Metalls, and sundry Meteors, whose easie and rude shapes may have no need of any Principle of Life, or Spermatical form distinct from the Rest or Motion of the particles of the Matter.

  5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from God.

  6. A formal request, oral or written, made to a judge or court of law to obtain an official court ruling or order for a legal action to be taken by, or on behalf of, the movant.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
  7. A movement of the bowels; the product of such movement.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • euphemistic
    • Uncountable
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    From that time to the present (three weeks) she has taken one pill every night, and had one comfortable motion every morning without the aid of any other aperient, and her health has much improved.

  8. Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of parts. (Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale. Contrary motion is when parts move in opposite directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique motion is when one part is stationary while another moves. Similar or direct motion is when parts move in the same direction.)

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    The independent motions of different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint.

  9. A puppet, or puppet show.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Obsolete
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    What motion's this? the model of Nineveh?

  10. A piece of moving mechanism, such as on a steam locomotive.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    [...] three 2-4-2 tank engines were secured from the Hunslet Engine Co. of Leeds. As the line began on the Quay in Bideford, the locomotives had their motion encased, as shown in the illustrations on page 414.

  11. Success; achievements, especially those that others cannot match.

    Usage
    • Slang
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    You've never got no motion, lad / You've never got no action

Verb

  1. To gesture indicating a desired movement.

    Examples

    He motioned for me to come closer.

    Mom motioned me over and ordered me to sit by her side.

    More examples (1)

    After spending a few paragraphs blasting Obamacare, including motioning directly at the Democrats during his sharpest condemnations, the president laid down a few markers for what he wanted to see replace the current system.

  2. To introduce a motion in parliamentary procedure.

    Usage
    • proscribed
  3. To make a proposal; to offer plans.

    Examples

    Here's Gloucester, a foe to citizens, One that still motions war and never peace

Noun

  1. the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

    Synonyms
  2. a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something

    Synonyms
  3. a change of position that does not entail a change of location

    Broader terms
    Examples

    the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise

    movement is a sign of life

    More examples (2)

    an impatient move of his hand

    gastrointestinal motility

  4. a state of change

    Broader terms
    Examples

    they were in a state of steady motion

  5. a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    he made a motion to adjourn

    she called for the question

  6. the act of changing location from one place to another

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    police controlled the motion of the crowd

    the movement of people from the farms to the cities

    More examples (1)

    his move put him directly in my path

  7. an optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object

    Broader terms
    Examples

    the cinema relies on apparent motion

    the succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement

Verb

  1. show, express or direct through movement

    Examples

    He gestured his desire to leave

Word forms
motionsmotionsmotioningmotionedmotioned

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