motion motion /ˈmoʊʃən/

noun

1. () The use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals  ( gesture , motion )
   the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
     The lawyer presented a motion to dismiss the case.
   The lawyer presented a motion to dismiss the case.
   
   
2. () A natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something  ( motion , movement )
   a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something
     The dancers moved in perfect harmony, captivating the audience with their motion.
   The dancers moved in perfect harmony, captivating the audience with their motion.
   
3. () A change of position that does not entail a change of location  ( motility , move , motion , movement )
   a change of position that does not entail a change of location
    The reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise
   the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise
    Movement is a sign of life
   movement is a sign of life
    An impatient move of his hand
   an impatient move of his hand
    Gastrointestinal motility
   gastrointestinal motility
   
4. () A state of change  ( motion )
   a state of change
    They were in a state of steady motion
   they were in a state of steady motion
   
   
5. () The act of changing location from one place to another  ( move , motion , movement )
   the act of changing location from one place to another
    Police controlled the motion of the crowd
   police controlled the motion of the crowd
    The movement of people from the farms to the cities
   the movement of people from the farms to the cities
    His move put him directly in my path
   his move put him directly in my path
   
6. () A formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote  ( question , motion )
   a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
    He made a motion to adjourn
   he made a motion to adjourn
    She called for the question
   she called for the question
   
7. An optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object  ( apparent motion , apparent movement , motion , movement )
   an optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object
    The cinema relies on apparent motion
   the cinema relies on apparent motion
    The succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement
   the succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement
   

verb

1. () Show, express or direct through movement  ( motion , gesture , gesticulate )
   show, express or direct through movement
    He gestured his desire to leave
   He gestured his desire to leave