motion
motion — noun
1. Motion can describe the general idea of an object changing position or travellin
Motion can describe the general idea of an object changing position or travelling through space, such as the rocking of a boat or the drift of clouds. It can also mean one specific movement of a body part, like nodding your head or raising your arm.
Christopher watched the slow motion of clouds drifting across the sky.
uncountable: physical movement of natural objects
The gentle rocking motion of the train helped Nila fall asleep.
collocation: rocking motion
A security camera near the bank entrance captured every motion that night.
countable: a specific movement
The physical therapist asked Takeshi to repeat the same arm motion ten times.
countable: repeated body movement in therapy
Darius pressed the button and watched the elevator doors spring into motion.
collocation: into motion / spring into motion
- rocking motion
- circular motion
- slow motion
- constant motion
- forward motion
- in motion
- set in motion
Grammar Patterns
motion + of + noun phrase
in motion
set/put in motion
Usage Note
In the uncountable sense, motion refers to the general concept of movement (e.g., the laws of motion). In the countable sense, it refers to one specific movement (e.g., a sudden motion of the hand). Common in phrases like in motion, set in motion, and put in motion. Note: 'Motion' is also a surname—the British poet Sir Andrew Motion was poet laureate from 1999 to 2009.
Common Mistakes
2. a formal suggestion put forward at a meeting or assembly for people to discuss a
a formal suggestion put forward at a meeting or assembly for people to discuss and then decide on by voting
The committee voted on a motion to increase the school's annual budget.
motion + to-infinitive: the purpose of the proposal
Felipe proposed a motion that all meetings be recorded for transparency.
motion + that-clause: what the proposal states
The chairperson declared the motion to install solar panels carried by 22 votes to 4.
collocation: motion carried / motion passed
Joaquín seconded the motion to donate the remaining funds to charity.
collocation: second a motion
- propose a motion
- second a motion
- carry a motion
- pass a motion
- vote on a motion
- table a motion
- amend a motion
- proposal
broader term; a proposal may or may not be formally voted on
- resolution
a formal motion that has been passed or is intended to be binding
- suggestion
informal, not requiring a vote
Grammar Patterns
motion + to-infinitive
motion + that-clause
propose + a motion
second + a motion
vote on + a motion
Usage Note
In formal meetings, a motion must usually be 'seconded' (supported by another person) before it can be discussed and voted on. If the motion is approved, it is said to be 'carried' or 'passed'.
Common Mistakes
3. a polite term, mainly used by doctors and nurses, for emptying the bowels or the
a polite term, mainly used by doctors and nurses, for emptying the bowels or the material that comes out of the body
The nurse asked whether the patient had passed a motion that morning.
medical register: 'pass a motion'
Indra's baby had her first solid motion after starting rice cereal.
Dr. Park noted that Mrs. Okonkwo had a regular motion today after the laxative.
collocation: regular motion
The night nurse asked Mr. Yamamoto if he had passed a motion since hip surgery.
- pass a motion
- regular motion
- solid motion
- have a motion
- bowel movement
the fuller, more common polite term
- stool
medical term for the waste matter itself
Grammar Patterns
have + a motion
pass + a motion
Usage Note
Primarily used by doctors, nurses, and in medical records. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'have a bowel movement' or use informal alternatives.
Common Mistakes
4. a formal request to obtain a specific ruling or instruction from a judge or law
a formal request to obtain a specific ruling or instruction from a judge or law court
The defense lawyer filed a motion asking the judge to dismiss the case.
collocation: file a motion
Judge Chung denied the motion for a new trial.
motion + for + noun phrase: what is being requested
The prosecutor's motion to introduce phone records was approved.
motion + to-infinitive: the action requested
Zola's legal team prepared an emergency motion to stop the eviction.
collocation: emergency motion
- file a motion
- deny a motion
- grant a motion
- emergency motion
- motion to dismiss
- motion for summary judgment
- petition
a formal written request to a court, often broader in scope than a motion
- application
general legal term for asking a court to do something
Grammar Patterns
motion + to-infinitive
motion + for + noun phrase
file + a motion
deny + a motion
Usage Note
In legal contexts, a motion is always made to a court (not to a person). Common types include 'motion to dismiss', 'motion for summary judgment', and 'motion to suppress evidence'.
Common Mistakes
5. a movement of offensive players in American football who change positions just b
a movement of offensive players in American football who change positions just before the ball is snapped to start a play
Before the snap, the quarterback sent a running back in motion to test the defense.
American football domain: pre-snap player shift
The referee threw a flag because a receiver moved into illegal motion.
domain term: illegal motion
Coach Williams said only one player may be in motion when the ball is snapped.
key rule: only one player in motion at snap
The wide receiver went into motion just before the snap to confuse the defense.
- illegal motion
- in motion
- motion offense
- man in motion
- shift
a general term for any change in player positioning before the snap
- man in motion
the specific term for the player who moves before the snap
Grammar Patterns
in motion
into motion
illegal motion
Usage Note
This sense is specific to American football. The key rule is that only one offensive player may be in motion at the snap, and that player must be moving parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage.
to start a process or a series of events happening, so that things begin to move or develop
The CEO's resignation set a chain of events in motion that nobody had predicted.
Quinn put the renovation plans in motion by hiring a contractor.
to do something without real interest, effort, or belief, just because you have to
After losing the election, Darius went through the motions of thanking his team.
The singer was exhausted and just went through the motions during the concert.
slow motion
idiomaction on film or video that is shown at a much slower speed than it actually happened, to make details visible
The referee reviewed the tackle in slow motion to check for a penalty.
Nila watched the goal replay in slow motion on her phone.
To do something without real interest or effort, just because it is expected.
Sara went through the motions of cleaning her room, but it was still messy.
Why is Diego just going through the motions at practice today?
motion — verb
1. to silently direct someone by pointing with your hand, chin, or head, showing th
to silently direct someone by pointing with your hand, chin, or head, showing them where to go or what to do
Élise motioned for the children to gather around the table for dinner.
motion + for + person + to-infinitive: directing an action
The security guard motioned toward the exit and told everyone to leave.
motion + adverb phrase: indicating direction
Christopher motioned to the waiter that he was ready to pay.
The lifeguard motioned frantically for the swimmers to come back to shore.
collocation: motion frantically / urgently
- motion to
- motion for
- motion toward
- motion forward
- motion aside
Grammar Patterns
motion + to + person
motion + for + person + to-infinitive
motion + adverb phrase
Usage Note
Often followed by 'to' + person (motioned to her) or 'for' + person + to-infinitive (motioned for him to sit). The direction can be specified with an adverb like 'motioned forward' or 'motioned toward the door'. This verb is typically intransitive in this sense.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- motionlessadjectiveB2
- motivenounB2
- motivateverbB2
- motivationnounB2
- motornounB1
- motoradjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Movement is the broadest of the three, covering any change of position from a flicker of an eyelid to a planetary orbit (e.g., 'the movement of the stars'). Motion is slightly more technical and often implies continuous or mechanical change (e.g., 'the laws of motion' or 'in motion'), whereas movement can be both continuous and discrete. Move is more informal and typically refers to a single, deliberate action often tied to a strategy or plan (e.g., 'a smart chess move' or 'the company's next move'). Gesture is narrower still, referring specifically to a movement of the body — especially the hands or head — that communicates a message (e.g., 'a gesture of goodwill'). To illustrate: a dancer's motion across the stage is fluid and continuous; each individual step is a move; and the hand signal to the partner is a gesture.
Common collocations
Etymology
Motion comes from Old French motion (movement), from Latin motio (a moving), from movere (to move). The sense of a formal proposal at a meeting developed in the 16th century, because the idea was 'moved' or put forward. The legal sense of a request to a court followed in the 17th century. The American football sense is much more recent, from the mid-20th century.