move·ment / ˈmoōvmənt/ • n. 1. an act of changing physical location or position or of having this changed: a slight movement of the upper body| the principle of the free movement of goods between member states. ∎  an arrival or departure of an aircraft. ∎  (also bowel movement) an act of defecation. ∎  (movements) the activities and whereabouts of someone, esp. during a particular period of time: your movements and telephone conversations are recorded. ∎  the general activity or bustle of people or things in a particular place: the scene was almost devoid of movement. ∎  the quality of suggesting motion in a work of art: the painting was a busy landscape, full of detail and movement. ∎  the progressive development of a poem or story: the novel shows minimal concern for narrative movement. ∎  a change or development in something: movements in the underlying financial markets.2. a group of people working together to advance their shared political, social, or artistic ideas: the labor movement. ∎  [usu. in sing.] a campaign undertaken by such a group: a movement to declare war on poverty. ∎  a change in policy or general attitudes seen as positive: the movement toward greater sexual equality.3. Mus. a principal division of a longer musical work, self-sufficient in terms of key, tempo, and structure: the slow movement of his violin concerto.4. the moving parts of a mechanism, esp. a clock or watch.