Adjacent Words

Movement definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

MOVEMENT, n. Motion; a passing, progression, shaking, turning or flowing; any change of position in a material body; as the movement of an army in marching or maneuvering; the movement of a wheel or a machine.
1. The manner of moving.
2. Excitement; agitation; as the movement of the mind.
3. In music, any single strain or part having the same measure or time.
Any change of time is a change of movement.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a change of position that does not entail a change of location; "the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"; "movement is a sign of life"; "an impatient move of his hand"; "gastrointestinal motility" [syn: motion, movement, move, motility]
2: the act of changing location from one place to another; "police controlled the motion of the crowd"; "the movement of people from the farms to the cities"; "his move put him directly in my path" [syn: motion, movement, move]
3: a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something [syn: movement, motion]
4: a group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals; "he was a charter member of the movement"; "politicians have to respect a mass movement"; "he led the national liberation front" [syn: movement, social movement, front]
5: a major self-contained part of a symphony or sonata; "the second movement is slow and melodic"
6: a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the cause of world peace"; "the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"; "the movement to end slavery"; "contributed to the war effort" [syn: campaign, cause, crusade, drive, movement, effort]
7: an optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object; "the cinema relies on apparent motion"; "the succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement" [syn: apparent motion, motion, apparent movement, movement]
8: a euphemism for defecation; "he had a bowel movement" [syn: bowel movement, movement, bm]
9: a general tendency to change (as of opinion); "not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book"; "a broad movement of the electorate to the right" [syn: drift, trend, movement]
10: the driving and regulating parts of a mechanism (as of a watch or clock); "it was an expensive watch with a diamond movement"
11: the act of changing the location of something; "the movement of cargo onto the vessel"

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 14th century 1. a. (1) the act or process of moving; especially change of place or position or posture (2) a particular instance or manner of moving b. (1) a tactical or strategic shifting of a military unit ; maneuver (2) the advance of a military unit c. action, activity — usually used in plural 2. a. tendency, trend <detected a movement toward fairer pricing> b. a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also an organized effort to promote or attain an end <the civil rights movement> 3. the moving parts of a mechanism that transmit a definite motion 4. a. motion 7 b. the rhythmic character or quality of a musical composition c. a distinct structural unit or division having its own key, rhythmic structure, and themes and forming part of an extended musical composition d. particular rhythmic flow of language ; cadence 5. a. the quality (as in a painting or sculpture) of representing or suggesting motion b. the vibrant quality in literature that comes from elements that constantly hold a reader's interest (as a quickly moving action-filled plot) 6. a. an act of voiding the bowels b. matter expelled from the bowels at one passage

Britannica Concise

Popular U.S. movement in adult education founded in 1874. It began as a Sunday-school teacher training assembly at Chautauqua Lake, N.Y., but gradually spread to various circuit "chautauquas" and broadened in scope to include general education and popular entertainments. Outstanding speakers were brought in for summer lectures and classes. The movement has declined after reaching a peak in 1924 (though the organization still holds meetings), but its legacy contributed to the growth of community colleges and continuing education programs. See also lyceum movement.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 the act or an instance of moving or being moved. 2 a the moving parts of a mechanism (esp. a clock or watch). b a particular group of these. 3 a a body of persons with a common object (the peace movement). b a campaign undertaken by such a body. 4 (usu. in pl.) a person's activities and whereabouts, esp. at a particular time. 5 Mus. a principal division of a longer musical work, self-sufficient in terms of key, tempo, structure, etc. 6 the progressive development of a poem, story, etc. 7 motion of the bowels. 8 a an activity in a market for some commodity. b a rise or fall in price. 9 a mental impulse. 10 a development of position by a military force or unit. Etymology: ME f. OF f. med.L movimentum (as MOVE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Movement Move"ment, n. [F. mouvement. See Move, and cf. Moment.] 1. The act of moving; change of place or posture; transference, by any means, from one situation to another; natural or appropriate motion; progress; advancement; as, the movement of an army in marching or maneuvering; the movement of a wheel or a machine; the party of movement. 2. Motion of the mind or feelings; emotion. 3. Manner or style of moving; as, a slow, or quick, or sudden, movement. 4. (Mus.) (a) The rhythmical progression, pace, and tempo of a piece. ``Any change of time is a change of movement.'' --Busby. (b) One of the several strains or pieces, each complete in itself, with its own time and rhythm, which make up a larger work; as, the several movements of a suite or a symphony. 5. (Mech.) A system of mechanism for transmitting motion of a definite character, or for transforming motion; as, the wheelwork of a watch. Febrille movement (Med.), an elevation of the body temperature; a fever. Movement cure. (Med.) See Kinesiatrics. Movement of the bowels, an evacuation or stool; a passage or discharge. Syn: Motion. Usage: Movement, Motion. Motion expresses a general idea of not being at rest; movement is oftener used to express a definite, regulated motion, esp. a progress.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(movements) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. A movement is a group of people who share the same beliefs, ideas, or aims. It's part of a broader Hindu nationalist movement that's gaining strength throughout the country. N-COUNT: usu supp N 2. Movement involves changing position or going from one place to another. There was movement behind the window in the back door... A tall, thin man was waving his arms in an effort to direct the movements of a large removal van... N-VAR 3. A movement is a planned change in position that an army makes during a battle or military exercise. There are reports of fresh troop movements across the border. N-VAR 4. Movement is a gradual development or change of an attitude, opinion, or policy. ...the movement towards democracy in Latin America... N-VAR: with supp, usu N towards/away from n 5. Your movements are everything which you do or plan to do during a period of time. I want a full account of your movements the night Mr Gower was killed. N-PLURAL: poss N 6. A movement of a piece of classical music is one of its main sections. ...the first movement of Beethoven's 7th symphony. N-COUNT: usu with supp

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Motion, move, change. 2. Motion, emotion, mental action. 3. Motion, manner of moving. 4. (Mus.) a. Rhythm, method of progression, tempo; b. Strain, part.

Moby Thesaurus

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