/ ˈməʊʃn; NAmE ˈmoʊʃn/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] the act or process of moving or the way sth moves :
Newton's laws of motion
The swaying motion of the ship was making me feel seasick.
( formal )
Do not alight while the train is still in motion (= moving) .
Rub the cream in with a circular motion.
—see also slow motion
2.
[ C ] a particular movement made usually with your hand or your head, especially to communicate sth
SYN gesture :
At a single motion of his hand, the room fell silent.
3.
[ C ] a formal proposal that is discussed and voted on at a meeting :
to table / put forward a motion
to propose a motion (= to be the main speaker in favour of a motion)
The motion was adopted / carried by six votes to one.
4.
[ C ] ( BrE , formal ) an act of emptying the bowels ; the waste matter that is emptied from the bowels
•
IDIOMS
- go through the motions (of doing sth)
- set / put sth in motion
■ verb
motion to sb (to do sth) | motion (for) sb to do sth to make a movement, usually with your hand or head to show sb what you want them to do :
[ v ]
I motioned to the waiter.
He motioned for us to follow him.
[ vn ]
She motioned him into her office.
[also vn to inf ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin motio(n-) , from movere to move.