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.
sudden movement
The movement of traffic along the highway was stopped by the accident.
- constant movement
- slow movement
- movement of
- in movement
- 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
Grammar Patterns
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.
with a + adjective + movement of + body part
Jabari spotted a suspicious movement behind the curtain and called the guard.
- quick movement
- sudden movement
- make a movement
- slight movement
Grammar Patterns
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.
rapid / slow movement
During the war, all troop movements were kept secret from the public.
- troop movements
- enemy movements
- strategic movement
- movement of forces
- retreat
backward movement away from the enemy
Grammar Patterns
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.
hear movement
The police noticed increased movement around the old warehouse late at night.
- hear movement
- detect movement
- little movement
- movement in
Grammar Patterns
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.
movement away from / toward
Dahlia noticed a slow movement in public opinion on the new policy.
- movement toward
- movement away from
- movement in
- gradual movement
- stagnation
a period of no change or development
Grammar Patterns
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.
the women's / civil rights / peace movement
A global movement to reduce plastic waste has spread to over fifty countries.
a global / national / local movement
- lead a movement
- join a movement
- start a movement
- political movement
- social movement
Grammar Patterns
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.
- join a movement
- lead a movement
- build a movement
- movement for [cause]
- support a movement
Grammar Patterns
movement + for + [goal]
Usage Note
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'.
Common Mistakes
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.
movement + away from + [old way]
- movement toward
- movement away from
- movement in [opinion/thinking]
- clear movement
- gradual movement
- stagnation
a period without change
Grammar Patterns
movement + toward + [direction]
movement + in + [domain]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
passive: the movement + had [broken/jammed]
- the movement of a clock
- the movement of a watch
- clean the movement
- delicate movement
Grammar Patterns
the movement + of + [device]
Usage Note
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.
collocation: quicken / slow + the movement of [piece]
- lively movement
- slow movement
- steady movement
- the movement of [a piece]
Grammar Patterns
[adjective] movement + of + [piece]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
preposition: between + movements
- first movement
- second movement
- final movement
- movement of a symphony
- between movements
Grammar Patterns
[ordinal] movement + of + [symphony / sonata / concerto]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: check the movement / the flow of ideas
- the movement of [verse/prose]
- gentle movement
- graceful movement
Grammar Patterns
the movement + of + [poem / speech / prose]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
- sense of movement
- create movement
- suggest movement
- capture movement
Usage Note
This sense is restricted to the visual arts. It describes an illusion of motion, not actual physical movement.
Common Mistakes
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.
short sentences to give movement
- narrative movement
- sense of movement
- lack movement
- dramatic 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
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
difficulty having a bowel movement
Newborn babies may have several bowel movements each day in their first few weeks.
- have a bowel movement
- regular bowel movements
- painful bowel movement
- difficulty with bowel movements
- defecation
the purely clinical term; more technical and less common in patient-facing communication
Grammar Patterns
have + a bowel movement
Usage Note
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).
Common Mistakes
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.
changes in stool colour or texture
A stool test helps doctors find the cause of long-term stomach pain or infection.
- stool sample
- stool test
- loose stool
- blood in the stool
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
track sb's movements
Brian's phone tracked his movements throughout the hiking trip in the mountains.
- track sb's movements
- monitor sb's movements
- check sb's movements
- record sb's movements
- know sb's movements
- whereabouts
focuses on location rather than both location and activity
- schedule
more formal and plan-oriented, less about actual tracking
Grammar Patterns
sb's movements
Usage Note
Always used in plural form. The possessive determiner (someone's) or 'of' structure is required — "movements" alone does not carry this idiomatic meaning.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
這些詞都與「移動或行動」有關，但側重點不同。Movement 是最通用的詞，涵蓋任何位置或狀態的改變，可用於物理移動（the dancer's movement）、社會潮流（the environmental movement）或抽象變化（a movement in prices）。Motion 偏重於物理學或正式語境中持續進行的移動過程，強調「正在動」的狀態（the motion of the planets / set something in motion），較少用於社會或政治含義。Move 作為名詞時，通常指一次具體的、有目的的行動或決策（a smart career move / whose move is it?），語氣比 movement 更口語、更具體。Action 泛指「行動、作為」，不強調位置的改變，而強調做事本身（take action / political action），範圍比 movement 更廣。Activity 強調活動的進行或活躍狀態（outdoor activity / economic activity），不一定要有位移。Campaign 則指有明確目標的系列行動，通常有時間限制（an election campaign），與 social/political movement 相近但期限更明確。
Common collocations
Phrases
- make a movement
- track someone's movements
- monitor movements
- detect movement
- control movement
- restrict movement
- join a movement
- lead a movement
- start a movement
- record movements
- sudden movement
- fluid movement
- slow movement
- quick movement
- slight movement
- political movement
- artistic movement
- social movement
- rapid movement
- constant movement
- movement of + noun
- movement in + noun
- movement toward + noun
- movement away from + noun
- movement across + noun
- movement through + noun
- sense of movement
- freedom of movement
- every movement
- signs of movement
Etymology
movements 是 movement 的複數形式。Movement 源自古法語 movement（移動），由動詞 movoir（移動）加上名詞後綴 -ment 構成，最早可追溯至拉丁語 movēre（移動）。中古英語經由盎格魯-法語（Anglo-French）借入此詞，與現代英語動詞 move 同源。
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)