noun

movement

MOOV-muhnt

Movement (noun) means an act of changing position or place, or the general fact of not being still. Example: “She caught a slight movement in the bushes.”

noun

An act of changing position or place, or the general fact of not being still.

"She caught a slight movement in the bushes."

"The injury has restricted movement in his left shoulder."

A group of people who share a set of aims and work together to bring about social, political or cultural change.

"The civil rights movement transformed American law."

"A grassroots movement sprang up to save the woodland."

A self-contained main section of a longer piece of music, such as a symphony or sonata.

"The slow movement is the best-known part of the concerto."

How to use movement

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething moving, or a group of people pushing for change.

Memory tip

Use 'motion' for the abstract physics idea and 'movement' for observed moving or for organised groups.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

motion → campaign → migration →

Common pairings

freedom of movement a protest movement range of movement the labour movement

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She caught a slight _____ in the bushes.

Etymology

From Old French movement, from Latin movere 'to move', with the noun suffix -ment.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for movement

cement element clement pavement tenement inclement abatement amusement statement agreement excrement amazement

See all rhymes for movement →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a movement and a campaign?

A campaign is an organised push towards a specific goal, usually with a clear end point and identifiable leaders. A movement is broader and longer-lived, made up of many people and often many campaigns, and it rarely has a single command structure.

How many movements does a symphony have?

Classical symphonies typically have four movements, usually a fast opening, a slow movement, a dance-like third and a lively finale. Composers depart from this freely, and some symphonies have three or five.

Is movement countable or uncountable?

Both. Uncountable when it means motion in general, as in 'freedom of movement', and countable when it means a single act of moving or an organised group, as in 'a sudden movement' or 'two protest movements'.

What is the meaning of movement?

"movement" (noun) means an act of changing position or place, or the general fact of not being still.