Movement: meaning, definitions and examples

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movement

[ˈmuːvmənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

physical activity

The act or process of moving or changing position or place. It involves the coordination of muscles and bones to achieve a desired outcome.

Synonyms

action, activity, motion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
movement	Use 'movement' when referring to the act of changing physical position or a group of people working together towards a common goal. 1 The movement of the waves was calming 2 The civil rights movement significantly impacted society
motion	Use 'motion' to talk about physical movement or a formal proposal in a meeting. 1 The dancer's graceful motion captivated the audience 2 The council passed a motion to improve public transportation
activity	Use 'activity' for routine tasks or events where people engage in something specific. 1 The children enjoyed a variety of activities at the camp 2 Physical activity is crucial for maintaining health
action	Use 'action' to describe something done or performed, especially in terms of decision or behavior. 1 His actions speak louder than words 2 The company needs immediate action to resolve the issue

Examples of usage

The movement of the dancer was graceful and fluid.
She was impressed by the precision of the machinery's movement.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

group with a common goal

A group of people working together to advance a shared cause or idea. It often involves coordinated efforts to bring about social or political change.

Synonyms

campaign, cause, drive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
movement	The term is used to describe a group of people working together to achieve a common goal, often related to social changes or reforms. The civil rights movement of the 1960s brought significant change in the legal and social status of African Americans
campaign	This term is typically used in the context of organized efforts to achieve a specific political, social, or marketing aim within a certain time frame. The election campaign was exhausting, with candidates traveling across the country to win votes
cause	This word is generally used when referring to a principle, aim, or movement that people are dedicated to supporting due to its perceived importance or moral value. She devoted her life to the cause of environmental protection
drive	Often used to describe a focused effort to achieve a specific goal, particularly in fundraising or recruitment contexts. The charity's fundraising drive successfully gathered over a million dollars for the new hospital wing

Examples of usage

The feminist movement fought for gender equality.
The civil rights movement was instrumental in ending segregation.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

trend or development

A trend or development in a particular direction, especially one with significance or impact. It can refer to changes in society, art, or culture.

Synonyms

development, shift, trend.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
movement	Use when talking about physical motion, or in a social/political context to describe a group of people working towards a common goal. The movement of the dancers was graceful. The civil rights movement brought significant change to society.
trend	Best used when discussing prevailing tendencies, patterns, or fashions over a period of time. The current trend in technology is towards automation. Fashion trends change with every season.
shift	Appropriate when indicating a change in position, attitude, or direction, often sudden or significant. There has been a shift in public opinion regarding climate change. The company saw a shift towards more sustainable practices.
development	Use when talking about growth, progress, or evolution of a process, concept, or individual. The development of the new software took over two years. Early childhood development is crucial for future academic success.

Examples of usage

The environmental movement advocates for sustainable practices.
There has been a movement towards digitalization in recent years.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'movement' comes from the Latin word 'movimentum', which means 'a moving or motion'.
In the 14th century, it was used to describe physical motion, but the meaning expanded to include artistic and social changes over time.
Many other languages have similar roots, highlighting the global understanding and occurrence of movement.

Art

The term 'movement' can refer to a group of artists or a specific style, such as the Impressionist movement that focused on capturing light and color.
In music, a 'movement' is a self-contained part of a larger composition, often distinct in mood and tempo.
Dance is often described in terms of movement, with styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop, each expressing emotions differently.

Philosophy

Philosophers argue that movement is essential to existence, suggesting that without change, life would be static and uninteresting.
Notable thinkers like Aristotle linked physical movement to the concept of potentiality and actuality, highlighting the transformative aspect of movement.
Movement has been examined in existentialist philosophy, concerning how individuals navigate their existence and freedom.

Science

In biology, movement is critical for the survival of organisms, influencing behaviors like foraging and migration.
Physics classifies movement according to speed and direction, leading to concepts like velocity and acceleration.
Technological advancements have created opportunity for analysis of movement through tools like motion capture in films and video games.

Social Change

The term is frequently used in social contexts, referring to movements like civil rights, feminism, and environmentalism, which advocate for change.
Movements can unite individuals towards a common goal, demonstrating the power of collective action in driving societal progress.
Social media has empowered movements, allowing ideas to spread rapidly and mobilize supporters locally and globally.

Translations

Translations of the word "movement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 movimento

🇮🇳 आंदोलन

🇩🇪 Bewegung

🇮🇩 gerakan

🇺🇦 рух

🇵🇱 ruch

🇯🇵 動き (ugoki)

🇫🇷 mouvement

🇪🇸 movimiento

🇹🇷 hareket

🇰🇷 움직임 (umjigim)

🇸🇦 حركة (harakah)

🇨🇿 pohyb

🇸🇰 pohyb

🇨🇳 运动 (yùndòng)

🇸🇮 gibanje

🇮🇸 hreyfing

🇰🇿 қозғалыс

🇬🇪 მოძრაობა (modzraoba)

🇦🇿 hərəkət

🇲🇽 movimiento

Word Frequency Rank

At #665 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

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662 behind
663 international
664 levels
665 movement
666 associated
667 wide
668 weight
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