movements
movements — noun
1. the fact of moving or changing position
the fact of moving or changing position
The dancer's slow movement across the stage amazed the audience.
slow movement
Xiu watched the movement of the clouds through her bedroom window.
movement of + noun phrase
After the fall, any sudden movement caused pain in Madison's shoulder.
The movement of traffic along the highway was stopped by the accident.
- motion
more formal or scientific; 'motion' can also refer to the abstract scientific concept
- locomotion
technical term for moving from place to place, used in biology and mechanics
- stillness
complete lack of movement
- immobility
formal; unable to move
文法句型
movement of + noun
adjective + movement
2. a single deliberate or noticeable change in where something or someone is, espec
a single deliberate or noticeable change in where something or someone is, especially a gesture or shift in posture
Tara made a quick movement to catch the falling plate before it hit the floor.
make a + adjective + movement
The physical therapist showed Eli the correct movements for his shoulder exercises.
correct / wrong movement
With a gentle movement of her hand, Antonia asked the waiter to come over.
Jabari spotted a suspicious movement behind the curtain and called the guard.
文法句型
a/an + adjective + movement
movement of + body part
3. the planned shifting or advance of soldiers, vehicles, or equipment as part of a
the planned shifting or advance of soldiers, vehicles, or equipment as part of a military operation
The general ordered a night movement of troops to surprise the enemy.
movement of troops
Femi studied the enemy troop movements on the map for over an hour.
troop movements (plural)
The army's rapid movement toward the capital forced the rebels to pull back.
During the war, all troop movements were kept secret from the public.
- retreat
backward movement away from the enemy
文法句型
troop movements
movement of + military noun
4. the presence of action or activity, especially when someone or something can be
the presence of action or activity, especially when someone or something can be sensed but not clearly seen
The security cameras recorded every movement in the parking lot that night.
every movement (general activity sense)
There was little movement in the house after midnight, so Yara decided to knock.
little / no movement
Baraka could hear movement coming from the kitchen and knew someone was home.
The police noticed increased movement around the old warehouse late at night.
文法句型
hear/detect + movement
movement in/around + place
5. a general direction in which people's opinions, behavior, or market conditions a
a general direction in which people's opinions, behavior, or market conditions are developing over time — for example, a movement toward healthier eating or a movement in consumer prices
There has been a clear movement toward healthier eating in recent years.
movement toward + noun
Greta studies the movement of consumer prices to predict economic changes.
movement of prices / rates
The movement away from paper receipts toward digital ones is growing fast.
Dahlia noticed a slow movement in public opinion on the new policy.
- stagnation
a period of no change or development
文法句型
movement toward/away from + noun
movement in + noun
6. an organized effort by many people over a period of time to achieve a social, po
an organized effort by many people over a period of time to achieve a social, political, or cultural goal
The civil rights movement of the 1960s changed the country forever.
Madison joined the environmental movement after learning about climate change.
environmental / political / social movement
The women's movement successfully campaigned for equal pay and better conditions.
A global movement to reduce plastic waste has spread to over fifty countries.
文法句型
adjective + movement
the + noun + movement
join / lead / start + a movement
7. the people who take part in or support an organized campaign aimed at achieving
the people who take part in or support an organized campaign aimed at achieving a social or political goal
Rafael joined the labour movement because he wanted better wages for factory workers.
collocation: join + movement
The environmental movement gained new followers after the river was polluted.
collocation: gain + followers / movement for [cause]
Tanvi's speech inspired the housing movement to demand fair rents across the city.
The movement for better schools brought together parents and teachers from every neighbourhood.
文法句型
movement + for + [goal]
用法筆記
Used in the plural (movements) when referring to several distinct campaigns, or in the singular (movement) for one specific group — e.g., 'the civil rights movement'.
常見錯誤
8. a specific and noticeable change in a particular situation, opinion, or set of c
a specific and noticeable change in a particular situation, opinion, or set of circumstances — for example, a sudden movement in public opinion or a movement of people into a new area
There has been a clear movement toward renewable energy in many small towns.
movement + toward + [goal]
Brian noticed a sudden movement in public opinion after the mayor's speech.
The movement of young professionals into the district has changed the local shops and cafes.
A gentle movement away from traditional teaching methods is happening in schools across the country.
- stagnation
a period without change
文法句型
movement + toward + [direction]
movement + in + [domain]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (TREND): sense 8 describes a specific change in a particular situation (like a sudden opinion shift or movement of people), while sense 5 describes a broader, ongoing direction or tendency (like a market or social trend). The collocation 'sudden movement' signals sense 8; 'gradual movement toward' often signals sense 5.
常見錯誤
9. the set of wheels, springs, and gears inside a machine such as a clock or watch
the set of wheels, springs, and gears inside a machine such as a clock or watch that transfers motion from one part to another
The clockmaker carefully cleaned the delicate movement of the antique pocket watch.
the movement of [a watch/clock]
When Erik opened the back of the clock, he could see the movement turning smoothly.
The movement of the old music box had rusted after fifty years in the attic.
A tiny screw had come loose inside the movement, stopping the hands from turning.
文法句型
the movement + of + [device]
用法筆記
Usually preceded by 'the' and refers to the entire internal mechanism of timepieces or similar devices. 'Movement' here is a countable technical noun; the plural (movements) is rare in this sense.
10. the speed, rhythm, or general feel of motion in a piece of music
the speed, rhythm, or general feel of motion in a piece of music
Hugo liked the lively movement of the carnival music, which made everyone want to dance.
[adjective] movement + of + [music]
The slow, steady movement of the lullaby helped the baby fall asleep.
Brian changed the movement of the song halfway through to make the chorus exciting.
The conductor asked the orchestra to quicken the movement of the waltz to make it feel more lively.
文法句型
[adjective] movement + of + [piece]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 11 (SONATA UNIT): sense 10 describes the speed and rhythmic feel (like 'tempo'), while sense 11 refers to a named structural division. If you can replace 'movement' with 'tempo' or 'pace' without changing the meaning, you are using sense 10.
常見錯誤
11. one of the main sections into which a symphony, sonata, or other long piece of c
one of the main sections into which a symphony, sonata, or other long piece of classical music is divided, each with its own character and tempo
The second movement of the symphony begins with a quiet violin melody.
[ordinal] movement + of + [symphony]
Tanvi practised the piano for weeks to master the difficult third movement.
Hamza said the final movement of the concerto was the most exciting part.
The orchestra took a short break between the first and second movements.
文法句型
[ordinal] movement + of + [symphony / sonata / concerto]
用法筆記
Always a countable, specific division of a classical work — typically a symphony, sonata, or concerto has three or four movements. Each movement has its own key and tempo but belongs to the larger composition. 'Movement' is never used this way for pop or rock songs.
常見錯誤
12. the natural rising and falling rhythm of words in speech, poetry, or writing
the natural rising and falling rhythm of words in speech, poetry, or writing
The gentle movement of the poet's lines created a musical feeling when read aloud.
the movement + of + [poem / lines]
Feng admired the movement of the speech and how each sentence led to the next.
The movement of the old folktale made it sound like a song when told aloud.
Writers often read their work aloud to check the movement of each sentence.
文法句型
the movement + of + [poem / speech / prose]
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'cadence' and 'rhythm' in literary analysis. It is never used for natural physical movement of a person — use sense 1 (noun/b1) for that. The tell is that the subject is a text, speech, or poem.
常見錯誤
13. the quality in a painting, sculpture, or other visual artwork that makes a still
the quality in a painting, sculpture, or other visual artwork that makes a still image feel as if it is moving or alive.
Bilal was amazed by the sense of movement in the marble statue of a running horse.
sense of movement in sculpture
The painter used blurred outlines to create movement in her portrait of a dancer.
create movement + blurred outlines technique
Jin's abstract canvas shows so much movement that the trees seem to sway in the wind.
Art critics praised the movement in the fresco, calling the figures almost cinematic.
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to the visual arts. It describes an illusion of motion, not actual physical movement.
常見錯誤
14. the quality in a written story, novel, or play that makes it feel exciting and k
the quality in a written story, novel, or play that makes it feel exciting and keeps the reader wanting to find out what happens next.
The movement of the novel's opening chapter had Jude turning pages late into the night.
movement of the novel's opening chapter
Readers praised the thriller for its movement, with surprises arriving every few chapters.
Without enough movement, even a well-written story can feel flat and lose the reader's attention.
Anjali admired how the author used short sentences to give the battle scene a sense of fast movement.
- pace
more common and broader; can apply to film, music, and daily life
- momentum
focuses on the forward-driving energy that builds as the story progresses
- narrative drive
a more technical literary term
- flatness
describes writing that lacks excitement or variation in pace
- stagnation
implies the story is not progressing at all
用法筆記
This sense belongs to literary criticism. It is not used for film or television pacing, though the idea is similar. Commonly modified by adjectives like 'narrative' or 'dramatic' movement.
常見錯誤
15. the act of passing solid waste from the body through the bowels.
the act of passing solid waste from the body through the bowels.
The doctor asked Imani whether she had had a bowel movement that morning.
had a bowel movement
Nikhil recorded the time of each bowel movement in his health diary after the treatment.
The patient reported difficulty having a bowel movement during the week after surgery.
Newborn babies may have several bowel movements each day in their first few weeks.
- defecation
the purely clinical term; more technical and less common in patient-facing communication
文法句型
have + a bowel movement
用法筆記
Standard term in medical and healthcare settings. In everyday conversation, people often use simpler alternatives such as 'going to the toilet' or euphemisms. This sense is always countable (a bowel movement / bowel movements).
常見錯誤
16. solid waste matter from the body that is passed through the bowels during a bowe
solid waste matter from the body that is passed through the bowels during a bowel movement.
The lab technician asked Zuri to bring a stool sample for the digestive health test.
stool sample
The nurse noted that the stool was unusually dark and recommended further tests.
Changes in the colour or texture of your stool can sometimes signal a digestive problem.
A stool test helps doctors find the cause of long-term stomach pain or infection.
用法筆記
This sense is the standard medical term for solid bodily waste. 'A stool' (countable) refers to the waste from one bowel movement; 'stool' (uncountable) is used in general or clinical reference (e.g., 'stool sample,' 'stool test'). Not used in casual conversation.
常見錯誤
movements — idiom
1. the places a person goes and the activities they do during a specific period of
the places a person goes and the activities they do during a specific period of time, especially when someone else wants to know or keep track of them
Adina checked the app to see Bao's movements for the afternoon.
possessive determiner + movements + time phrase
The security team recorded the movements of everyone who entered the building that night.
movements of [group]
Layla asked her assistant to confirm her movements for the following Monday.
The detective tracked the suspect's movements through security footage from three different stores.
Brian's phone tracked his movements throughout the hiking trip in the mountains.
- whereabouts
focuses on location rather than both location and activity
- schedule
more formal and plan-oriented, less about actual tracking
文法句型
sb's movements
用法筆記
Always used in plural form. The possessive determiner (someone's) or 'of' structure is required — "movements" alone does not carry this idiomatic meaning.