26984 words

motion

10 definitions • 20 examples
1
the act or process of moving, or a particular action or movement:

Examples:

The violent motion of the ship upset his stomach.
He rocked the cradle with a gentle backwards and forwards motion.
They showed the goal again in slow motion (= at a slower speed so that the action could be more clearly seen).
2
a polite way of referring to the process of getting rid of solid waste from the body, or the waste itself:

Examples:

The nurse asked if her motions were regular.
3
a formal suggestion made, discussed, and voted on at a meeting:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] Someone proposed a motion to increase the membership fee to $500 a year.
The motion was accepted/passed/defeated/rejected.
4
to make a signal to someone, usually with your hand or head:

Examples:

I saw him motion to the man at the door, who quietly left.
Her family all gathered around her, but she motioned them away.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] He motioned me to sit down.
5
the act or process of moving, or a particular movement:

Examples:

[ U ] His range of motion was exactly equal on both sides.
[ C ] She moved her finger in a circular motion.
6
a formal request, usually one made, discussed, and voted on at a meeting:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] Someone made a motion to increase the membership fee.
7
A motion is also a request made to a judge in court for something to happen.
8
Something in motion is moving or operating or has started:

Examples:

The alarm rang and suddenly everyone was in motion.
The governor’s request set in motion the process for receiving federal funds.
9
to make a signal to someone, usually with your hand or head:

Examples:

[ T ] He motioned me to sit down.
[ I ] I saw him motion to the man at the door.
10
a formal suggestion made, discussed, and voted on at a meeting:

Examples:

introduce/make/propose a motion They will propose a motion to move the vote to the evening of June 9.
approve/carry/pass a motion The group unanimously passed a motion endorsing the designs.
defeat/reject a motion
put forward/table/adopt a motion

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