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¹motion

noun mo·tion \ˈmō-shən\

: an act or process of moving

: a movement of your body or of a part of your body

: a formal suggestion or proposal that is made at a meeting for something to be done

Full Definition of MOTION

a : an act, process, or instance of changing place : movement

b : an active or functioning state or condition <set the divorce proceedings in motion>

: an impulse or inclination of the mind or will

a : a proposal for action; especially : a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly

b : an application made to a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or direction

obsolete

a : a puppet show

b : puppet

: mechanism

a : an act or instance of moving the body or its parts : gesture

b plural : activities, movements

: melodic change of pitch

— mo·tion·al \ˈmō-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— mo·tion·less \ˈmō-shən-ləs\ adjective

— mo·tion·less·ly adverb

— mo·tion·less·ness noun

— in motion

of an offensive football player : running parallel to the line of scrimmage before the snap

See motion defined for English-language learners

See motion defined for kids

Origin of MOTION

Middle English mocioun, from Anglo-French motion, from Latin motion-, motio movement, from movēre to move

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MOTION

Synonyms: movement, move, shift, shifting, stir, stirring

Antonyms: motionlessness

Rhymes with MOTION

Goshen, groschen, lotion, notion, ocean, potion

²motion

verb

: to make a movement of your hand, head, etc., that tells someone to move or act in a certain way

mo·tionedmo·tion·ing \ˈmō-sh(ə-)niŋ\

Full Definition of MOTION

intransitive verb

: to signal by a movement or gesture <the pitcher motioned to the catcher>

transitive verb

: to direct by a motion <motioned me to the seat>

See motion defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of MOTION

1747

Related to MOTION

Synonyms: beckon, flag, gesture, signal, wave

Motion

biographical name Mo·tion \ˈmō-shən\

Definition of MOTION

Sir Andrew 1952– British poet; poet laureate (1999–2009)

MOTIONLESSNESS Defined for Kids

¹motion

noun mo·tion \ˈmō-shən\

Definition of MOTION for Kids

: an act or process of changing place or position : movement <We felt the swaying motion of the train.>

: a movement of the body or its parts <… the motion of his arms was not unlike the flapping of a pair of wings. — Washington Irving, “Sleepy Hollow”>

: a formal plan or suggestion for action offered according to the rules of a meeting <She made a motion to adjourn.>

— mo·tion·less \-ləs\ adjective <She stood motionless.>

²motion

verb

mo·tionedmo·tion·ing

Definition of MOTION for Kids

: to direct or signal by a movement or sign <Instantly she set the bird down and motioned everyone away … — Carolyn Keene, The Double Jinx Mystery>

Medical Dictionary