manöver

Manöver is a term used in German and Swedish (and in many allied languages) to denote a planned movement or series of movements designed to achieve a specific goal. In military contexts it refers to exercises, operations, or demonstrations where troops, vehicles, and command structures practice coordinated action. Outside the military, manöver can describe tactical moves in planning, negotiations, or operations, as well as technical movements in engineering or transportation.

Etymology and usage notes: the word derives from the French manœuvre, meaning a guided or managed operation. In German the spelling is Manöver, and in Swedish it is manöver, both reflecting the same origin. In English, the common equivalents are maneuver or manoeuvre, depending on regional spelling.

Military usage: military maneuvers are structured activities that simulate combat or organize force deployment. They test readiness, interoperability among units, and command-and-control processes. Maneuvers can be conducted on land, at sea, or in the air, and may involve joint or multinational participation, with scenarios ranging from defensive holds to offensive breakthroughs.

Civilian and other applications: in civilian contexts, manöver can describe precise movements of machinery or infrastructure operations, such as railway shunting maneuvers (Rangiermanöver) or aircraft flight maneuvers in training. Politically or tactically, the term is used metaphorically to denote calculated moves intended to influence outcomes or shape negotiations.

See also: maneuver, manoeuvre, military exercise, shunting, flight maneuver.