movimento

Movimento is a noun in Italian and Portuguese (and other Romance languages) meaning movement, motion, or trend. It derives from Latin motus, from movēre “to move.” The term is used in various fields to denote change of position, direction, or a developing tendency.

In science, movimento refers to physical motion—the change of an object’s position over time, described by concepts such as velocity and acceleration. In everyday language it also covers the broader sense of motion within a system or process.

In sociology and politics, movimento denotes organized collective actions aimed at social or political change. Social movements pursue reforms or transformations in society, often through protests, campaigns, and advocacy. The phrase is widely used in Italian and Portuguese-speaking contexts. A notable contemporary example is Movimento 5 Stelle (Five Star Movement) in Italy, founded in 2009.

In the arts, movimento can indicate a movement or section within a larger work, especially in music and architecture. In music, a symphony or concerto has multiple movimenti (movements). The term is also used to name or describe artistic currents, such as Futurismo (the Futurist movement) in early 20th-century Italy, emphasizing new energies and modernity.

In geology and physical geography, movimento appears in phrases like movimento de massas (mass movement) and movimento das placas (plate tectonics movement), referring to natural motions that shape landscapes.