What does movement mean?
Movement is the act or process of changing position, direction, or condition. In its most common physical sense, it can describe someone’s shifting action, the motion of a vehicle, or the movement of goods through a supply chain. It also names a sustained social, political, artistic, or intellectual trend, and in a musical work, one of its larger sections. The word is therefore broader than simple motion: a movement may be a single physical act, an organized campaign, or an abstract tendency in how people think or act. Because of this range, context determines the appropriate countability. “The movement of the train” normally treats movement as an uncountable process, while “the dancers’ movements” refers to identifiable actions, and “a civil-rights movement” denotes an organized movement. In social and political writing, the term often implies shared purpose, collective energy, and historical change, giving it a more purposeful tone than motion alone. Its long history and close relationship to words such as motion, motive, and momentum make it a useful term for connecting physical change with social action and developing ideas.
nounThe action or process of moving or changing position, direction, or condition. The word can also denote an organized social or political campaign, a broader trend or movement in thought or activity, or a major section of a musical work.
- The act or process of changing position, direction, or physical condition.
- A change, development, or trend within a system, institution, or area of life.
- An organized group or campaign pursuing a shared social, political, artistic, or intellectual aim.
- A self-contained section of a larger musical work.
"Her sudden movement toward the door startled everyone in the room."
"The movement of the crowd toward the entrance was halted by the stewards."
"The suffrage movement achieved a major victory when the voting law was amended."
The plural refers to identifiable actions or motions, organized groups or trends, and distinct sections of a musical work. A general physical process is usually expressed in the uncountable form.
"The dancer's sharp, controlled movements impressed the judges."
Movement and momentum are close cousins: both trace to Latin movere, “to move,” but momentum carries the extra idea of driving force.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of movement
The English noun developed in Middle English from Old French mouvement, a borrowing ultimately from Latin momentum, “movement, impulse.” Latin momentum was formed from mōvere, “to move,” the root also behind motion, motive, momentum, and mobile. Through these related forms, the word links physical motion with the ideas of impetus, purpose, and mobility.
How movement is actually used
Generally neutral in register, although in social and political contexts it often suggests collective purpose and change. Physical motion is usually uncountable when referring to a general process, but countable for identifiable actions, organized campaigns, trends, and musical sections.
Easily confused with movement
Movement is an act, process, or organized tendency, whereas momentum is the impetus that keeps motion or progress going.