First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
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
1
a : an act, process, or instance of changing place : movement b : an active or functioning state or condition <set the divorce proceedings in motion>
2
: an impulse or inclination of the mind or will
3
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
4
5
6
a : an act or instance of moving the body or its parts : gesture b plural : activities, movements
7
: melodic change of pitch
— mo·tion·al \ˈmō-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ 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
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Origin of MOTION
Middle English mocioun, from Anglo-French motion, from Latin motion-, motio movement, from movēre to move
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
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
1
: an act or process of changing place or position : movement <We felt the swaying motion of the train.>
2
: 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”>
3
: 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
motion
noun mo·tion \ˈmō-shən\
Medical Definition of MOTION
1
: an act, process, or instance of changing place : movement
2
a : an evacuation of the bowels b : the matter evacuated—often used in plural <blood in the motions—Lancet>
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