motion
Pluralmotions (some meanings)
Verbmotions, motioning, motioned
Pluralmotions (some meanings)
Formsmotions, motioning, motioned
- 1Movement, or the state of moving from one place or position to another.
Like a ball that keeps rolling after you push it.
The gentle motion of the boat made her feel sleepy.
Keeping the wheel in motion takes very little effort once it starts.
UsageWe often say in motion (moving) and set in motion (start something).
Similarmovement
- 2A formal request asking a judge to make a decision or give an order in a case.
Like asking a referee to make a call during a game.
The lawyer filed a motion to delay the trial.
The judge granted the motion the same afternoon.
UsageA lawyer files a motion; a judge grants it or denies it.
Similarapplication, petition, request
Note
- 3A formal idea or plan put to a group for them to vote on.
Like raising your hand to suggest an idea the whole group then votes on.
She put forward a motion to start meetings half an hour earlier.
The club voted on his motion to raise the membership fee.
UsageWe say a motion to do something. In the US, to table a motion means to put it off.
Similarproposal, resolution, proposition
Note
- 4A single movement, like one move of your hand or body.
Like a single wave of your hand to say hello.
With one quick motion, she opened the jar.
The robot repeated the same motions over and over.
UsageWe say in one motion. Go through the motions means do something without caring.
- 5To signal with your hand or head that someone should move or come.
Like waving your hand to say 'come here.'
She will motion to you when it is safe to cross.
He motioned for everyone to sit down.
UsageWe say motion to someone, or motion for someone to sit, come or wait.
Similargesture, signal, wave, beckon
Note
Less common meanings
- 6The way the pitch of notes moves up or down, one after another.
Like steps on a staircase, with notes moving up or down one after another.
The melody's smooth motion made it easy to sing.
Quick upward motion in the tune built a sense of excitement.
Note
- 7An act of passing solid waste from the body, or the waste itself.
The nurse asked whether he had passed a motion that day.
Soft motions can be a sign of a stomach bug.
UsageUsed mostly in medical talk, as in pass a motion. In India, loose motions is an everyday way to say diarrhea.
Note
- 8
- 9To suggest a plan or idea, especially in a formal meeting where people will vote.
At the club meeting, I motion that we vote on the new rules.
At the school board meeting, Sam motioned to buy new buses.
UsageIn formal meetings, people usually say I move that instead of I motion that.
Note
- 10A show put on to entertain people, especially a puppet show.
when God gave him reason, he gave him freedom to choose, for reason is but choosing; he had bin else a meer artificiall Adam, such an Adam as he is in the motions.
1644, John Milton, AreopagiticaHere, the motions means puppet shows put on to entertain people.Note
- 11A puppet, a small figure moved to put on a show.
What motion's this? the model of Nineveh?
c. 1613, Thomas Middleton, William RowleyHere, motion means a puppet show.Note
- 12The set of moving parts in a machine, such as those that drive a steam train.
- 13In old philosophy, any kind of change, not just moving from place to place.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin "motio," meaning "movement," linked to "movere" (to move), and came into English through French.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- English motion comes from Latin motio through French. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin motio means movement. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin motio is related to movere. en.wiktionary.org
- Movere means to move. en.wiktionary.org