motion

motion — noun

1. Motion can describe the general idea of an object changing position or travellin

1.名詞B1
釋義

Motion can describe the general idea of an object changing position or travelling through space, such as the rocking of a boat or the drift of clouds. It can also mean one specific movement of a body part, like nodding your head or raising your arm.

例句

Christopher watched the slow motion of clouds drifting across the sky.

uncountable: physical movement of natural objects

The gentle rocking motion of the train helped Nila fall asleep.

collocation: rocking motion

同義詞
  • movement

    broader and more common than motion in everyday speech; motion is slightly more technical

  • move

    informal, often used for a single deliberate action

  • gesture

    specifically a movement that communicates meaning, usually with hands or face

反義詞
  • stillness

    complete lack of motion

  • rest

    state of not moving; opposite of 'in motion'

文法句型

motion + of + noun phrase

in motion

set/put in motion

用法筆記

In the uncountable sense, motion refers to the general concept of movement (e.g., the laws of motion). In the countable sense, it refers to one specific movement (e.g., a sudden motion of the hand). Common in phrases like in motion, set in motion, and put in motion. Note: 'Motion' is also a surname—the British poet Sir Andrew Motion was poet laureate from 1999 to 2009.

常見錯誤

❌the motions of the car made me sick' (using plural when uncountable fits better).
✅the motion of the car made me sick
💡use the uncountable form for general continuous movement.

2. a formal suggestion put forward at a meeting or assembly for people to discuss a

2.名詞B2
釋義

a formal suggestion put forward at a meeting or assembly for people to discuss and then decide on by voting

例句

The committee voted on a motion to increase the school's annual budget.

motion + to-infinitive: the purpose of the proposal

Felipe proposed a motion that all meetings be recorded for transparency.

motion + that-clause: what the proposal states

同義詞
  • proposal

    broader term; a proposal may or may not be formally voted on

  • resolution

    a formal motion that has been passed or is intended to be binding

  • suggestion

    informal, not requiring a vote

文法句型

motion + to-infinitive

motion + that-clause

propose + a motion

second + a motion

vote on + a motion

用法筆記

In formal meetings, a motion must usually be 'seconded' (supported by another person) before it can be discussed and voted on. If the motion is approved, it is said to be 'carried' or 'passed'.

常見錯誤

❌I made a motion to go to lunch' (informal context).
✅I proposed a motion to extend the meeting
💡'motion' in the meeting-proposal sense is formal; use 'suggestion' for everyday situations.

3. a polite term, mainly used by doctors and nurses, for emptying the bowels or the

3.名詞B2
釋義

a polite term, mainly used by doctors and nurses, for emptying the bowels or the material that comes out of the body

例句

The nurse asked whether the patient had passed a motion that morning.

medical register: 'pass a motion'

Indra's baby had her first solid motion after starting rice cereal.

同義詞

文法句型

have + a motion

pass + a motion

用法筆記

Primarily used by doctors, nurses, and in medical records. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'have a bowel movement' or use informal alternatives.

常見錯誤

❌I need to make a motion' (meaning going to the toilet).
✅I need to have a bowel movement
💡or use 'pass a motion' in medical context; 'make a motion' means something different (propose at a meeting).

4. a formal request to obtain a specific ruling or instruction from a judge or law

4.名詞C1
釋義

a formal request to obtain a specific ruling or instruction from a judge or law court

例句

The defense lawyer filed a motion asking the judge to dismiss the case.

collocation: file a motion

Judge Chung denied the motion for a new trial.

motion + for + noun phrase: what is being requested

同義詞
  • petition

    a formal written request to a court, often broader in scope than a motion

  • application

    general legal term for asking a court to do something

文法句型

motion + to-infinitive

motion + for + noun phrase

file + a motion

deny + a motion

用法筆記

In legal contexts, a motion is always made to a court (not to a person). Common types include 'motion to dismiss', 'motion for summary judgment', and 'motion to suppress evidence'.

常見錯誤

❌I filed a motion to my boss' (using legal sense for workplace).
✅I submitted a request to my manager
💡'motion' in the legal sense is for courts only; use 'request' or 'proposal' in business.

5. a movement of offensive players in American football who change positions just b

5.名詞C1
釋義

a movement of offensive players in American football who change positions just before the ball is snapped to start a play

例句

Before the snap, the quarterback sent a running back in motion to test the defense.

American football domain: pre-snap player shift

The referee threw a flag because a receiver moved into illegal motion.

domain term: illegal motion

同義詞
  • shift

    a general term for any change in player positioning before the snap

  • man in motion

    the specific term for the player who moves before the snap

文法句型

in motion

into motion

illegal motion

用法筆記

This sense is specific to American football. The key rule is that only one offensive player may be in motion at the snap, and that player must be moving parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage.

motion — verb