Motion — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈmō-shən/ mo·tion

Meaning & Definition of Motion

Motion (noun)

  1. an act, process, or instance of changing place, movement
  2. an active or functioning state or condition
  3. an act or instance of moving the body or its parts, gesture

Motion (verb)

  1. to signal by a movement or gesture
  2. to direct by a motion

Motion (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or an instance of changing position

    "we were instructed not to make any sudden motions or we might scare away the deer"

    opposite: motionlessness

Motion (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to direct or notify by a movement or gesture

    "the referee motioned the team captains to confer with him on the sideline"

Related Entry: Motion picture (noun)

Motion picture is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for motion picture, not for motion.

  1. a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track

    "a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture"

Related Entry: Motion sickness (noun)

Motion sickness is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for motion sickness, not for motion.

  1. as in morning sickness, altitude sickness

Related Entry: Motion pictures (noun)

Motion pictures is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for motion pictures, not for motion.

  1. a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track

    "a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture"

Related Entry: Set in motion (verb)

Set in motion is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for set in motion, not for motion.

  1. as in raise, stir (up)

Related Entry: Sets in motion (verb)

Sets in motion is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for sets in motion, not for motion.

  1. as in raises, stirs (up)

Related Entry: Setting in motion (verb)

Setting in motion is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for setting in motion, not for motion.

  1. as in raising, stirring (up)

Related Entry: Set (verb)

Set is a different word from Motion. The synonyms below are for set, not for motion.

  1. to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop

    "the hen set for days"

    similar: brood, hatch, incubate, sit
    related: lay, spawn
  2. to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority

    "set a date for the wedding"

  3. to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding

    "fire losses were set at a million dollars"

  4. to rest on the buttocks or haunches

    "come over and set for a spell"

    similar: sit
  5. to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal

    "determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off"

  6. to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of

    "finally set some plans for the luncheon"

  7. to put securely in place or in a desired position

    "had the jeweler set the diamond again"

  8. to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly

    "the gelatin is just starting to set now"

  9. to arrange something in a certain spot or position

    "set a book on the table"

  10. to become physically firm or solid

    "the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it"

    opposite: liquefy, soften

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Motion

The most common words with a similar meaning to Motion:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Motion

Words with the opposite meaning of Motion:

Near Antonyms of Motion

Word Forms of Motion

Inflections: motioned, motioning

Derived words: motional (adjective), motionless (adjective), motionlessly (adverb), motionlessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Motion

Middle English mocioun, from Anglo-French motion, from Latin motion-, motio movement, from movēre to move

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Motion

Words & Phrases Containing Motion

Frequently Asked Questions about Motion

What does "Motion" mean?

"Motion" means an act, process, or instance of changing place, movement. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an act, process, or instance of changing place, movement. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Motion"?

Other words for "Motion" include move, movement, shift, shifting, stir, stirring, beckon and flag. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Motion" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Motion"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Motion". Common alternatives include move, movement, shift, shifting, stir, stirring, beckon, flag, gesture and signal.

What is the opposite of "Motion"?

Antonyms of "Motion" include motionlessness. Near antonyms include immobility, inertia, inertness and stillness.

How do you use "Motion" in a sentence?

Examples of "Motion" in a sentence: "we were instructed not to make any sudden motions or we might scare away the deer"; "the referee motioned the team captains to confer with him on the sideline".

Is "Motion" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Motion" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Motion" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Motion" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Motion"?

"Motion" is pronounced /ˈmō-shən/ and divided into syllables as mo·tion.