Motion vs. Gesture: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 23, 2023
"Motion" is a movement or the process of moving; "Gesture" is a movement, often of the body or limbs, that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude.
Key Differences
"Motion" encompasses all forms of physical movement, from the smallest shift to grand locomotion, implying a change in position or location, without any inherent communicative intent. In contrast, "Gesture" specifically refers to a deliberate movement made with the intention of conveying a message or sentiment, often culturally determined and less about displacement than about expression.
While "Motion" is a general term that can apply to any object, animate or inanimate, as it changes position or orientation in space, "Gesture" is typically associated with human actions, sometimes extending to anthropomorphic entities, where body movements carry specific meanings or intentions, often in the realm of non-verbal communication.
"Motion" can be unconscious or involuntary, like the motion of a falling leaf or a sleeping person’s steady breathing. "Gesture," however, is usually a conscious action, like a wave goodbye or a salute, serving as a non-verbal substitute for or enhancement to verbal communication, packed with intentional symbolism.
In a legal or formal context, "Motion" can refer to a formal proposal put to a vote, showing its range beyond physical movement. "Gesture," on the other hand, can mean an action done for symbolic effect to convey goodwill or respect, like extending a gift to a foreign dignitary, illustrating its emotional and communicative dimensions.
Both "Motion" and "Gesture" play significant roles in various fields, with "Motion" crucial in physics, sports, and cinematography, describing the mechanics of movement, and "Gesture" prominent in social psychology, performing arts, and cultural studies, where the interpretation of these expressive movements can vary widely between cultures and contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Movement in general
Movement with communicative intent
Applicability
Applies to all entities
Typically applies to humans
Intention
Can be involuntary or unconscious
Usually deliberate and meaningful
Context
Physical, legal, mechanical
Communicative, cultural, relational
Interpretation
Objective, based on physical laws
Subjective, based on social norms
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Motion and Gesture Definitions
Motion
The action or process of moving or being moved.
The motion of the waves fascinated the child.
Gesture
A motion used instead of speech or to emphasize one's words.
She made a circling gesture to signify 'continue.'
Motion
A formal proposal put forward in a legislative or committee setting.
She filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Gesture
An action performed to convey one’s feelings or intentions.
Offering her seat to the elderly man was a kind gesture.
Motion
The act or process of changing position or place.
Gesture
A movement made for artistic effect in performance.
The dancer's dramatic gestures captivated the audience.
Motion
A meaningful or expressive change in the position of the body or a part of the body; a gesture.
Gesture
A movement of part of the body to express an idea or meaning.
His thumbs-up gesture indicated approval.
Motion
Active operation
Set the plan in motion.
Gesture
Something said or done for symbolic effect.
The donation was a gesture of goodwill.
Motion
The ability or power to move
Lost motion in his arm.
Gesture
A motion of the limbs or body made to express or help express thought or to emphasize speech.
Motion
The manner in which the body moves, as in walking.
Gesture
The action of making such a motion or motions
Communicated solely by gesture.
Motion
A prompting from within; an impulse or inclination
Resigned of her own motion.
Gesture
An act or a remark made as a formality or as a sign of intention or attitude
Sent flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
Motion
(Music) Melodic ascent and descent of pitch.
Gesture
To make gestures.
Motion
(Law) An application made to a court for an order or a ruling.
Gesture
To show, express, or direct by gestures
Gestured her disapproval.
Motion
A formal proposal put to the vote under parliamentary procedures.
Gesture
A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.
The middle-finger gesture is really a nonverbal swear.
This Web browser can be controlled with mouse gestures.
Motion
A mechanical device or piece of machinery that moves or causes motion; a mechanism.
Gesture
An act or a remark that serves as a formality or as a sign of attitude.
We took flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
Motion
The movement or action of such a device.
Gesture
(GUI) A motion made with a pointing device, or on a touchscreen, that is recognised by the system as a command.
Motion
To direct by making a gesture
Motioned us to our seats.
Gesture
(obsolete) The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
Motion
To indicate by making a gesture; signal
Motioned that he was ready.
Gesture
(intransitive) To make a gesture or gestures.
My dad told me never to gesture with my hands when I talk.
Never gesture at someone using your middle finger: it may be perceived as an insult.
Motion
To make a motion (that something should happen).
Gesture
(transitive) To express something by a gesture or gestures.
He gestured his disgust.
Motion
To signal by making a gesture
Motioned to her to enter.
Gesture
(transitive) To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.
Motion
(uncountable) A state of progression from one place to another.
Gesture
Manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a gesture used by many nations.
Motion
(countable) A change of position with respect to time.
Gesture
A motion of the body or limbs expressive of sentiment or passion; any action or posture intended to express an idea or a passion, or to enforce or emphasize an argument, assertion, or opinion.
Humble and reverent gestures.
Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye,In every gesture dignity and love.
Motion
(physics) A change from one place to another.
Gesture
To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action; to gesticulate.
It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth.
Motion
(countable) A parliamentary action to propose something. A similar procedure in any official or business meeting.
The motion to amend is now open for discussion.
Gesture
To make gestures; to gesticulate.
The players . . . gestured not undecently withal.
Motion
(obsolete) An entertainment or show, especially a puppet show.
Gesture
Motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
Motion
(philosophy) from κίνησις (kinesis); any change. Traditionally of four types: generation and corruption, alteration, augmentation and diminution, and change of place.
Gesture
The use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
Motion
Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.
Gesture
Something done as an indication of intention;
A political gesture
A gesture of defiance
Motion
(law) A formal request, oral or written, made to a judge or court of law to obtain an official court ruling or order for a legal action to be taken by, or on behalf of, the movant.
Gesture
Show, express or direct through movement;
He gestured his desire to leave
Motion
(euphemistic) A movement of the bowels; the product of such movement.
Motion
(music) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of parts. (Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale. Contrary motion is when parts move in opposite directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique motion is when one part is stationary while another moves. Similar or direct motion is when parts move in the same direction.)
Motion
(obsolete) A puppet, or puppet show.
Motion
(mechanical engineering) A piece of moving mechanism, such as on a steam locomotive.
Motion
To gesture indicating a desired movement.
He motioned for me to come closer.
Motion
(proscribed) To introduce a motion in parliamentary procedure.
Motion
To make a proposal; to offer plans.
Motion
The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; - opposed to rest.
Speaking or mute, all comeliness and graceattends thee, and each word, each motion, forms.
Motion
Power of, or capacity for, motion.
Devoid of sense and motion.
Motion
Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of the planets is from west to east.
In our proper motion we ascend.
Motion
Change in the relative position of the parts of anything; action of a machine with respect to the relative movement of its parts.
This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its motion.
Motion
Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.
Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from God.
Motion
A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress; esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly; as, a motion to adjourn.
Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.
Motion
An application made to a court or judge orally in open court. Its object is to obtain an order or rule directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant.
Motion
Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of parts.
The independent motions of different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint.
Motion
A puppet show or puppet.
What motion's this? the model of Nineveh?
Motion
To make a significant movement or gesture, as with the hand; as, to motion to one to take a seat.
Motion
To make proposal; to offer plans.
Motion
To direct or invite by a motion, as of the hand or head; as, to motion one to a seat.
Motion
To propose; to move.
I want friends to motion such a matter.
Motion
A natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something
Motion
The use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
Motion
A change of position that does not entail a change of location;
The reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise
Movement is a sign of life
An impatient move of his hand
Gastrointestinal motility
Motion
A state of change;
They were in a state of steady motion
Motion
A formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote;
He made a motion to adjourn
She called for the question
Motion
The act of changing location from one place to another;
Police controlled the motion of the crowd
The movement of people from the farms to the cities
His move put him directly in my path
Motion
An optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object;
The cinema relies on apparent motion
The succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement
Motion
Show, express or direct through movement;
He gestured his desire to leave
Motion
A particular manner of moving, typically of a living body.
The predator's swift motion was barely visible.
Motion
The ability or capacity to move.
After the accident, he regained motion in his legs.
Motion
A gesture or signal for someone to do something.
With a motion of his hand, he signaled them to stop.
FAQs
Is a "Gesture" always intentional?
Typically, gestures are intentional movements.
Is "Motion" only applicable to animate objects?
No, both animate and inanimate objects can be in motion.
Can "Motion" be involuntary?
Yes, motion can be an involuntary movement.
Does "Motion" always involve physical displacement?
Generally, yes, though it can also refer to formal proposals in legal contexts.
Can "Gesture" be misinterpreted?
Yes, gestures can be culturally specific and misinterpreted.
Is "Motion" a term in filmmaking?
Yes, "motion pictures" refers to movies due to the illusion of motion.
Does "Motion" have scientific implications?
Yes, it's a fundamental concept in physics.
Can a "Gesture" be offensive?
Depending on cultural context, some gestures can be considered offensive.
Can "Motion" be observed in stillness?
In relative terms, like the motion of Earth, yes.
Can "Gesture" refer to charitable acts?
Yes, charitable acts can be referred to as gestures of goodwill.
Are gestures universal?
Some may be, but many are culturally specific.
Is there emotion in "Motion"?
Not inherently, though motion can express emotion.
Can "Motion" be predicted?
In many cases, yes, especially in physical sciences.
Can "Gesture" include facial expressions?
Yes, facial expressions can be a type of gesture.
Is "Gesture" used in technology?
Yes, gesture control is a growing field in human-computer interaction.
Can "Motion" be controlled?
Yes, motions can be controlled or uncontrolled.
Can a "Gesture" be used in negotiation?
Yes, gestures can convey intentions or feelings in negotiations.
Are all "Motions" visible?
No, some motions, like those of microscopic entities, aren't visible to the naked eye.
Do animals use "Gestures"?
Yes, many animals use gestures to communicate.
Can a "Gesture" be legally binding?
Generally, no, but it can have significant symbolic weight.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
