move

Move is a term that denotes the act or result of changing position or state. As a verb, move means to change location or to cause something to change location or condition; as a noun, a move can refer to a single act of changing position, a strategic action in games, or a choreographic or athletic maneuver. The concept is central across everyday life, science, and culture, and the word appears in many related terms such as relocation, movement, or motion.

In physics, motion describes how an object's position changes over time and is described by quantities such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Forces and energy influence motion, and the laws of mechanics provide the framework for understanding how objects move in space and time.

In games and sports, a move is a discrete action that advances a game or competition. In chess, a move consists of relocating a piece according to the rules. In dance, choreography is built from a sequence of moves; in general usage, “making a move” can mean initiating an action or choosing a strategy.

In computing and information technology, move refers to relocating data or resources. File systems use a move operation to rename or relocate a file. In programming, move semantics transfer resources from one object to another without copying, improving efficiency.

Move is also used as a proper noun or title in culture and media, including bands, songs, and films. As a common word, it features in many phrases describing progress or urgency, such as “give it a move” or “let’s move.”