motion meaning and definition

MOTION noun

Definition of motion (noun)

1. the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
   • synonyms: gesture
2. a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something
   • synonyms: movement
3. a change of position that does not entail a change of location
   • "the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"; "movement is a sign of life"; "an impatient move of his hand"; "gastrointestinal motility"
   • synonyms: motility, move, movement
4. a state of change
   • "they were in a state of steady motion"
   • antonym: lifelessness
5. a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
   • "he made a motion to adjourn"; "she called for the question"
   • synonyms: question
6. the act of changing location from one place to another
   • "police controlled the motion of the crowd"; "the movement of people from the farms to the cities"; "his move put him directly in my path"
   • synonyms: move, movement
7. an optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object
   • "the cinema relies on apparent motion"; "the succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement"
   • synonyms: apparent motion, apparent movement, movement

MOTION verb

Definition of motion (verb)

1. show, express or direct through movement
   • "He gestured his desire to leave"
   • synonyms: gesticulate, gesture