Meaning & use
motion
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Meanings
noununcountable
The act or process of moving, or the way something moves.
Grammar: Uncountable: the car was in motion.
Patterns
- in motion
- set something in motion
The train was already in motion when he jumped aboard.
Newton described the laws of motion.
The slow motion of the waves was calming.
nouncountableformal
A formal proposal put to a meeting for discussion and a vote.
Grammar: Countable: propose a motion.
Patterns
- a motion to do something
- propose a motion
- second a motion
Ana proposed a motion to extend the deadline.
The motion was passed by a large majority.
The committee rejected the motion.
nouncountable
A movement of the body, hand or head as a signal or gesture.
Grammar: Countable: a sweeping motion.
Patterns
- make a motion
He made a motion for the waiter to come over.
With a quick motion of her hand, she waved.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To signal to someone with a movement of the hand or head.
Grammar: Often followed by for or to: she motioned him to sit.
Patterns
- motion to someone
- motion for someone to do something
The guard motioned for us to stop.
She motioned him inside.
Word forms
| plural | motions |
|---|---|
| third person singular | motions |
| past tense | motioned |
| past participle | motioned |
| -ing form | motioning |
Common combinations
- set in motion
- The announcement set the plan in motion.
- slow motion
- The replay was shown in slow motion.
- second a motion
- I second the motion.
- motion sickness
- I get motion sickness on boats.
- go through the motions
- He was just going through the motions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- movement
- Movement is the more common word for an act of moving.
- proposal
- Proposal is general, while motion is a formal proposal in a meeting.
- gesture
- Gesture is a body movement meant to express meaning.
Opposites
Word family
- motionless adjective
- not moving
- motivate verb
- to give someone a reason to act
Commonly confused: motion or emotion?
motion vs emotion
Emotion is a feeling; motion is movement.
Practice
At the meeting, Jo proposed a ______ to move the vote to Friday.
Choose one answer.
A motion is a formal proposal. Notion means an idea, not a formal proposal.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “motion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.