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Meaning & use

nonmoving

adjective·Academictechnical

Last updated

UK/ˌnɒnˈmuːvɪŋ/
US/ˌnɑːnˈmuːvɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    Not in motion; staying fixed in one place.

    Grammar: Normally placed before a noun: a nonmoving target. Something is either moving or not.

    Patterns

    • a nonmoving object
    • a nonmoving part

    The camera tracks moving cars but ignores nonmoving objects.

    A nonmoving target is much easier to hit than one in motion.

    Engineers separated the moving and nonmoving parts of the machine.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounAmerican

    Describing a traffic offense or violation that does not involve a vehicle being driven, such as a parking fine or an expired registration.

    Grammar: Used before nouns like violation or offense: a nonmoving violation.

    Patterns

    • a nonmoving violation

    A parking ticket is a nonmoving violation and adds no points to your license.

    Her insurer only looks at moving violations, not nonmoving ones.

    He paid the nonmoving fine online.

Common combinations

nonmoving object
The sensor detects nonmoving objects as well as people walking past.
nonmoving target
The recruits practised on a nonmoving target first.
nonmoving violation
Expired tags count as a nonmoving violation in most states.
nonmoving parts
Nonmoving parts rarely wear out in this kind of engine.

Synonyms and how they differ

stationary
Stationary is the common choice in everyday and technical writing, while nonmoving sounds more like a label used to contrast with moving things.
motionless
Motionless suggests complete stillness, often in a dramatic description of a person or animal, which nonmoving does not.
static
Static often implies something that does not change or develop, not just something that is not moving.

Opposites

movingmobile

Word family

move verb
to change position
moving adjective
in motion, or emotionally touching
movement noun
the act or process of moving
movable adjective
able to be moved

Commonly confused: nonmoving or unmoved?

nonmoving vs unmoved

Unmoved usually means not emotionally affected, not simply staying in one place.

Practice

In the United States, a parking ticket is usually treated as a ___ violation.

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