Meaning & use
movement
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The act or process of changing position or going from one place to another.
Grammar: Uncountable for motion in general (there was no movement); countable for a particular motion (a sudden movement).
Patterns
- movement of something
- movement towards something
The doctor checked the movement of his arm.
I saw a quick movement in the bushes.
Traffic movement slowed during the storm.
nouncountable
A group of people working together over time to promote a cause or idea.
Grammar: Often used with a defining word: the peace movement.
Patterns
- a movement for something
- a movement against something
The civil rights movement changed the country.
She joined the environmental movement as a student.
A movement to protect the river is gaining support.
nouncountable or uncountable
A gradual change or trend in prices, opinions or situations.
Grammar: Often followed by in or of: movement in prices.
Patterns
- movement in something
Analysts noted little movement in house prices.
There has been some movement in the talks.
nouncountablemusic
One of the main sections of a long piece of classical music such as a symphony.
Grammar: Countable; a symphony usually has several movements.
The slow second movement is my favorite part of the symphony.
Word forms
| plural | movements |
|---|
Common combinations
- a social movement
- A social movement can start with a few people.
- freedom of movement
- Citizens enjoyed freedom of movement across the region.
- a slight movement
- A slight movement caught her eye.
- grassroots movement
- The campaign began as a grassroots movement.
- a movement in prices
- Economists tracked the movement in prices.
Synonyms and how they differ
- motion
- More general and neutral; used for the physical act of moving, not for organized groups.
- campaign
- A planned set of actions with a clear goal and end, whereas a movement is broader and longer lasting.
- trend
- A general direction of change, not organized by anyone.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: movement or movement?
movement vs movement
Movements usually refers to separate motions; do not confuse it with moving, which describes the act.
Practice
The women's suffrage ___ fought for the right to vote.
Choose one answer.
A movement is an organized group working for a cause. Motion is physical moving, and moment means a point in time.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “movement”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.