move ‧ ment S1 W1 /ˈmuːvmənt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ move , ↑ movement , ↑ removal , ↑ remover , ↑ mover ; adjective : ↑ movable , ↑ unmoved , ↑ moving ; verb : ↑ move , ↑ remove ; adverb : ↑ movingly ]
1 . PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER [countable] a group of people who share the same ideas or beliefs and who work together to achieve a particular aim
civil rights/feminist/peace etc movement
the civil rights movement of the 1960s
movement to do something
Mendes led a movement to stop destruction of the rain forest.
movement for
the movement for independence
2 . POSITION/PLACE [uncountable and countable]
a) when someone or something changes position or moves from one place to another:
the dancer’s graceful movements
movement of
A slight movement of the curtains showed where she was hiding.
the movement of goods across the border
He motioned to the door with a movement of his head.
b) a planned change in the position of a group of soldiers:
reports of troop movements in the area
3 . CHANGE/DEVELOPMENT [uncountable] a gradual change or development in a situation or in people’s attitudes or opinions:
There’s been no movement in the peace talks since Thursday.
movement towards/away from
a movement towards equality with men in the workplace
4 . sb’s movements the places where someone goes and the things they do during a certain period:
Police are trying to trace Carter’s movements since Tuesday.
5 . MUSIC [countable] one of the main parts into which a piece of music is divided, especially a ↑ symphony
6 . CLOCK/WATCH [countable usually singular] the moving parts of a piece of machinery, especially a clock or watch
7 . BODY WASTE [countable] formal when you get rid of waste matter from your ↑ bowel s
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2a)
■ verbs
▪ make a movement
He made a small movement with his head, to indicate the door.
▪ control somebody's/something's movement
Some people have trouble controlling their hand movements.
▪ restrict/hinder somebody's movement (=make movement more difficult)
Clothes should not be so tight that they restrict your movement.
■ adjectives
▪ a big movement
He made a big sweeping movement with his arm.
▪ a small/little movement
She made a restless little movement.
▪ a slight movement (=small)
His eye caught a slight movement behind the bushes.
▪ a quick/sudden movement
Don't make any quick movements that might scare the dog.
▪ a slow movement
the slow movements of the old man
▪ an easy movement (=without effort)
She swung her legs off the bed in one easy movement.
▪ a smooth movement (=graceful)
Tom leaped over the fence in one smooth movement.
▪ a jerky movement (=with many starts and stops)
the jerky movements of a frightened horse
▪ a rhythmic movement (=with a strong rhythm)
When giving a massage, use firm rhythmic movements.
▪ a forward/backward movement
waves caused by the forward movement of the boat
■ phrases
▪ freedom of movement (=when people can go wherever they want)
The automobile gave people a freedom of movement previously unknown.
▪ ease of movement (=when someone or something can move easily)
Cyclists wear tight fitting shorts for ease of movement.