Motion vs. Gesture — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023
Motion refers to any movement or action, while Gesture is a deliberate movement or signal conveying a message or feeling.
Difference Between Motion and Gesture
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Motion and Gesture, though closely related, serve different functions in communication. Motion is a broad term encompassing any movement or action, be it from a physical object or body part. For instance, the motion of a pendulum swinging or a leg walking are examples. Gesture, conversely, narrows down to movements, often with hands or arms, deliberately made to convey specific messages, feelings, or intentions.
While every Gesture is a Motion, not every Motion is a Gesture. Motions can be involuntary, like the reflexive jerk of a hand away from something hot. But Gestures, being intentional, like waving to greet someone, are always voluntary. They often accompany verbal communication to add emphasis or clarity.
The contexts in which Motion and Gesture are used also differ. Motion is a term that finds relevance in physics, sports, legal discussions, and more. It's an umbrella term for any movement. Gesture, however, mostly relates to interpersonal communication or the arts, like theater, where body language is crucial.
In the realm of technology, Motion and Gesture have evolved meanings too. Motion sensors detect any movement, like in security systems. Gesture recognition, however, in devices, discerns specific hand or finger movements to execute commands.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Any movement or action.
Deliberate movement conveying a message or feeling.
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Context
Broad usage including physics, law, etc.
Interpersonal communication, arts, technology.
Volition
Can be involuntary.
Always intentional.
Grammatical Role
Noun, Verb
Noun
Example Usage
"The motion of the ocean waves is calming."
"His gesture of waving goodbye was heartfelt."
Compare with Definitions
Motion
Any movement or action.
The motion of the birds was captivating.
Gesture
An intentional movement conveying a specific message.
The thumbs-up gesture means approval.
Motion
A formal proposal put to a meeting or legislative body.
She made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Gesture
A motion used to emphasize speech.
His hand gestures were animated as he spoke.
Motion
The action or process of moving or being moved.
The motion of the train was soothing.
Gesture
A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication or non-vocal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with, speech. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body.
Motion
Movement or action that is controlled or deliberate.
He made a swift motion to grab the falling vase.
Gesture
A movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning
So much is conveyed by gesture
Alex made a gesture of apology
Motion
In physics, motion is the phenomenon in which an object changes its position over time. Motion is mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, speed, and time.
Gesture
Make a gesture
She gestured meaningfully with the pistol
Motion
The action or process of moving or being moved
A cushioned shoe that doesn't restrict motion
The laws of planetary motion
Gesture
A motion of the limbs or body made to express or help express thought or to emphasize speech.
Motion
A formal proposal put to a legislature or committee
Opposition parties tabled a no-confidence motion
Gesture
The action of making such a motion or motions
Communicated solely by gesture.
Motion
An evacuation of the bowels
73% of the patients had fewer than three bowel motions a day
Her mother put on her nappy for her to pass a 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
Direct or command (someone) with a movement of the hand or head
He motioned Dennis to a plush chair
He motioned the young officer to sit down
Gesture
To make gestures.
Motion
Propose for discussion and resolution at a meeting or legislative assembly
A resolution, motioned by Adam Tyler, proposed that members without a CCL could still belong to the association
Councillor Byrne motioned that the committee call on the area manager to install street lighting
Gesture
To show, express, or direct by gestures
Gestured her disapproval.
Motion
The act or process of changing position or place.
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 meaningful or expressive change in the position of the body or a part of the body; a gesture.
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
Active operation
Set the plan in motion.
Gesture
(GUI) A motion made with a pointing device, or on a touchscreen, that is recognised by the system as a command.
Motion
The ability or power to move
Lost motion in his arm.
Gesture
(obsolete) The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
Motion
The manner in which the body moves, as in walking.
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
A prompting from within; an impulse or inclination
Resigned of her own motion.
Gesture
(transitive) To express something by a gesture or gestures.
He gestured his disgust.
Motion
(Music) Melodic ascent and descent of pitch.
Gesture
(transitive) To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.
Motion
(Law) An application made to a court for an order or a ruling.
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
A formal proposal put to the vote under parliamentary procedures.
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
A mechanical device or piece of machinery that moves or causes motion; a mechanism.
Gesture
To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action; to gesticulate.
It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth.
Motion
The movement or action of such a device.
Gesture
To make gestures; to gesticulate.
The players . . . gestured not undecently withal.
Motion
To direct by making a gesture
Motioned us to our seats.
Gesture
Motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
Motion
To indicate by making a gesture; signal
Motioned that he was ready.
Gesture
The use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
Motion
To make a motion (that something should happen).
Gesture
Something done as an indication of intention;
A political gesture
A gesture of defiance
Motion
To signal by making a gesture
Motioned to her to enter.
Gesture
Show, express or direct through movement;
He gestured his desire to leave
Motion
(uncountable) A state of progression from one place to another.
Gesture
A movement of a part of the body to express an idea or meaning.
Her gesture indicated she wanted us to follow.
Motion
(countable) A change of position with respect to time.
Gesture
An action performed for show in the absence of real value.
The donation was seen as a mere gesture.
Motion
(physics) A change from one place to another.
Gesture
An act or instance of signaling or expressing oneself.
She made a kind gesture by helping the elderly man.
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.
Motion
(obsolete) An entertainment or show, especially a puppet show.
Motion
(philosophy) from κίνησις (kinesis); any change. Traditionally of four types: generation and corruption, alteration, augmentation and diminution, and change of place.
Motion
Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.
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.
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 directed movement.
The downward motion of the hammer was swift.
Common Curiosities
Is every gesture also a motion?
Yes, every gesture is a form of motion, but not vice versa.
Can motions be unintentional?
Yes, motions can be both voluntary and involuntary.
Is the term motion limited to human movement?
No, motion can refer to any moving object or entity.
How is motion used in technology?
Motion sensors detect movement, used in applications like security systems.
Can gestures be cultural?
Yes, some gestures have specific meanings in different cultures.
Can you provide an example of motion in law?
In law, a motion can be a formal proposal or request made to a judge.
Are gestures always made with hands?
No, gestures can be made with various body parts, but hands are common.
Can a gesture be non-physical?
Generally, gestures are physical, but metaphorically, actions can be "gestures of goodwill."
Can gestures be misinterpreted?
Yes, especially across cultures, a gesture might have different meanings.
Is waving a motion or gesture?
Waving is a motion, but because it conveys a greeting, it's also a gesture.
Is a nod an example of a gesture?
Yes, nodding usually represents agreement or acknowledgment.
Are all motions meaningful?
No, motions can be random or reflexive without inherent meaning.
Do animals use gestures?
Yes, animals, especially primates, use gestures to communicate.
Do gestures always accompany speech?
Not always, but gestures often complement or clarify verbal communication.
Can machines detect gestures?
Yes, with gesture recognition technology, machines can interpret specific movements.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
