DictionaryAI

movement

noun
MOOV-muhnt/ˈmuːv.mənt/

Pluralmovements

13 meanings of movement

Practice

  1. 1
    motionnouncountable or uncountable
    The act of moving from one place to another.

    Like walking from one room to another.

    Any sudden movement might scare the deer away.

    The camera turns on the lights when it detects movement.

    UsageSay movement for moving in general, and a movement for one move: a sudden movement.

    Similarmotion

    Oppositestasis, stillness

  2. 2
    shared causenouncountable
    A group of people working for a shared cause, or a new trend or style in a field like art.

    Like a big team where everyone wants the same goal.

    The civil rights movement changed many unfair laws.

    She joined a movement to protect the local forests.

    UsageOften the + its cause: the labor movement, the civil rights movement.

    Similarcampaign, school, trend, crusade

    Note
  3. 3
    changenouncountable or uncountable
    A change in a price, amount, level or situation, or progress toward an agreement.

    There has been very little movement in house prices this year.

    After weeks of talks, there is finally some movement on the pay deal.

    UsageSay movement in prices, and movement on a problem in talks.

    Similarchange, shift, progress

  4. 4
    person's travelsnounplural
    Where a person goes and what they do over a period of time, often as followed by others.

    The police checked the man's movements on the night of the fire.

    She kept a careful diary of her movements during the trip.

    UsageUsually someone's movements: the police checked his movements.

    Similaractivities

  5. 5
    music sectionnouncountable
    One of the main parts of a long piece of music.

    Like one chapter in a long book.

    The second movement of the symphony is slow and sad.

    We only had time to play the first movement.

    UsagePeople say the first movement, the slow movement and so on.

    Similarsection, part

    Note
  6. 6
    watch worksnouncountable
    The set of moving parts inside a watch or clock that keeps it running.

    Like the engine inside a car, but built for a watch.

    This old clock has a movement made of tiny brass gears.

    The repairer cleaned the movement carefully before closing the case.

    Similarmechanism, works

    Note
  7. 7
    noununcountable
    A feeling of motion that an artwork seems to have.

    Like a photo of a runner that looks about to spring forward.

    The painting has so much movement that the waves look ready to crash.

    Curved lines give the drawing a sense of movement.

    Similardynamism, energy

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of movement apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old French movement, based on Latin movere meaning "move." It is made from move plus the ending -ment.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts