motion
MOH-shuhn
Motion (noun) means Movement from one place or position to another. Example: “The camera captured the motion of the falling leaves.”
noun
1
Movement from one place or position to another.
"The camera captured the motion of the falling leaves."
"She felt the gentle motion of the boat rocking on the waves."
"The train slowly began to pull away, and the carriages were soon in motion."
2
A formal proposal put forward for discussion or a vote, especially in a meeting or a court of law.
"The senator introduced a motion to delay the vote."
"Her lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the case."
"The committee voted to approve the motion after a short debate."
verb
1
To signal with a gesture what someone should do.
"She motioned for him to sit down."
"The guard motioned us towards the gate with a wave of his hand."
"Mum motioned to the waiter that we were ready to order."
How to use motion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither physical movement, or a formal proposal put to a group or a judge.
Common pairings
set in motion
motion picture
file a motion
in motion
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Word forms
- Plural
- motions
- Third person singular
- motions
- Past tense
- motioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The camera captured the _____ of the falling leaves.
Etymology
From Latin mōtiō ("movement"), from movēre ("to move") — the same root behind move, motor, and motive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for motion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for motion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “motion” mean?
The word “motion” means movement from one place or position to another. In plain terms, either physical movement, or a formal proposal put to a group or a judge.
How do you pronounce “motion”?
“Motion” is pronounced MOH-shuhn (/ˈmoʊ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “motion” in a sentence?
Here is “motion” used in a sentence: “The camera captured the motion of the falling leaves.”
What part of speech is “motion”?
Depending on how it is used, “motion” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “motion” come from?
The word “motion” comes from Latin. From Latin mōtiō ("movement"), from movēre ("to move") — the same root behind move, motor, and motive.
Is “motion” a common word?
“Motion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “motion” have?
“Motion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: movement from one place or position to another.
What is the difference between motion and movement?
The two are close, but motion is the more abstract, scientific term for the state of moving, while movement often refers to a specific act of moving or a change of position. Physicists study motion; a dancer makes a movement. Motion also implies continuous change, whereas a movement can be a single gesture.
What are the types of motion?
In everyday and scientific use, motion is often grouped into a few kinds: linear or straight-line motion, circular motion around a centre, rotational motion or spinning, oscillating motion that repeats back and forth, and random motion with no set pattern. Each describes a different way an object changes position.
What is the opposite of motion?
The opposite of motion is rest, stillness, or immobility — a state in which nothing moves and position does not change. In physics an object is "at rest" when it stays put relative to its surroundings. Everyday antonyms include stillness, stagnation, and inertia, depending on the context.
What is an example of motion?
Anything that changes position shows motion: a car driving down a road, a ball rolling across a floor, planets orbiting the sun, or your hand waving. Even slow, unseen changes — a glacier creeping forward — count as motion, because the object moves from one place to another over time.
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