- [uncountable, singular] the act or process of moving or the way something moves
- What was Newton's first law of motion?
- The swaying motion of the ship was making me feel seasick.
- Rub the cream in with a circular motion.
- in motion (formal) Do not alight while the train is still in motion (= moving).
Extra ExamplesTopics Physics and chemistryb2- Do not open the door when the train is in motion.
- She could feel the rolling motion of the ship under her feet.
- The insects are stirred into motion by the heat of the sun.
- Too tight a grip will restrict the natural motion in your hands.
- Please don't stand while the bus is in motion.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- smooth
- steady
- quick
- …
- feel
- detect
- make
- …
- detector
- sensor
- exercise
- …
- into motion
- in motion
- in a circular, smooth, etc. motion
- set something in motion
- [countable] a particular movement made usually with your hand or your head, especially to communicate something synonym gesture
- At a single motion of his hand, the room fell silent.
- She made a sawing motion with her hand.
Extra Examples- He made little flapping motions with his arms.
- She made a slight motion with her hand.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- smooth
- steady
- quick
- …
- feel
- detect
- make
- …
- detector
- sensor
- exercise
- …
- into motion
- in motion
- in a circular, smooth, etc. motion
- set something in motion
- [countable] 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.
Extra Examples- The Opposition tabled a motion calling for the prime minister's resignation.
- The board tabled a motion calling for her resignation.
- The motion was defeated by 51 votes to 43.
- The motion was passed by 165 votes to 78.
- The motion was put before the conference.
- The motion was put to the conference and fully debated.
- The motion will be debated later today.
- He proposed a motion of no confidence in the government.
- Only delegates may introduce motions and vote.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + motion- introduce
- propose
- put
- …
- be carried
- carry
- a motion of no confidence
- [countable] (British English, formal) an act of emptying the bowels; the waste matter that is emptied from the bowels
Word Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin motio(n-), from movere ‘to move’.
Idioms
See motion in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee motion in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishgo through the motions (of doing something)
- to do or say something because you have to, not because you really want to
set/put something in motion
- to start something moving
- They set the machinery in motion.
- (figurative) The wheels of change have been set in motion.
- He wound the key and set the toy in motion.
Check pronunciation:
motion