movimiento

Movimiento is the Spanish noun for the act or process of moving, as well as for change in position. It can describe physical motion, a trend or tendency, or a collective effort such as a social or political campaign. The term is used across disciplines and in everyday language.

In science, movimiento refers to motion or movement. In physics, it encompasses how objects change position over time, described by quantities such as displacement, velocity, speed, acceleration, and trajectory. Analyses are performed relative to a frame of reference and often involve kinematics and dynamics, including the laws that govern forces and motion.

In biology and medicine, movement covers locomotion of organisms, muscle contraction, and cellular motility. It is essential for development, feeding, and interaction with the environment. Motor control involves the nervous system coordinating muscles, and dysfunction can affect balance, coordination, or strength.

In arts and music, a movement is a self-contained section within a larger work, such as a symphony or sonata. Movements typically vary in tempo, key, and mood, while contributing to the overall structure and narrative of the work.

In social and political contexts, a movimiento denotes an organized collective striving for change, advocacy, or reform. Examples include civil rights movements, labor movements, and environmental or independence campaigns, often relying on shared goals, leadership, and sustained mobilization.

Etymology: movimiento derives from mover, Latin movere, with the suffix -miento. It is cognate with the English “motion” and “movement.”