Locomotion vs. Movement: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 8, 2024
Locomotion refers to the ability to move from one place to another, while movement encompasses any change in position or location, including within the same space.
Key Differences
Locomotion is the act of moving from one location to another, often involving the entire body. It's a specialized form of movement that implies traveling some distance, like walking, swimming, or flying. Movement, on the other hand, refers to any change in position or place, which can be as simple as a hand gesture or a head turn. It is a broader term and includes both small-scale motions and large-scale locomotion.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
When discussing locomotion, the focus is on the mechanism and ability of an organism or object to transport itself from one point to another. This often involves overcoming environmental challenges and requires energy expenditure. In contrast, movement does not necessarily imply changing locations; it can refer to any physical displacement, whether it's a muscle contracting, leaves rustling, or a vehicle's wheels turning.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
The study of locomotion in biology and robotics often involves understanding how different beings or machines move efficiently and effectively in various environments. This could include the study of legged walking, winged flight, or aquatic swimming. Movement, however, can be studied in a broader range of contexts, including physics (the movement of particles), physiology (movement of muscles or organs), and even in abstract terms like social or political movements.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Locomotion is often linked with the adaptation and evolution of species, as different modes of locomotion like running, climbing, or burrowing have evolved to suit different ecological niches. On the other hand, movement can be as simple as the bending of a plant toward a light source (phototropism) or the opening and closing of a door, encompassing both biological and non-biological scenarios.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Finally, the significance of locomotion lies in its role in survival, enabling organisms to find food, escape predators, and reproduce. It is a fundamental biological function. In contrast, movement is a more general concept that can describe any change in position, serving a multitude of purposes beyond survival and adaptation, from communication to manipulation of objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of moving from one place to another, typically involving the whole body.
Any change in position or location, whether within the same space or elsewhere.
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Feb 08, 2024
Scope
Usually involves traveling some distance.
Can range from minor shifts to significant relocations.
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Feb 08, 2024
Context
Often studied in biology and robotics for efficiency in different environments.
Studied in various fields, including physics, physiology, and arts.
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Feb 08, 2024
Purpose
Primarily for survival, like finding food or escaping predators.
Can serve many purposes, from communication to manipulation.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
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Locomotion and Movement Definitions
Locomotion
Locomotion encompasses methods of transportation like walking, swimming, and flying.
Birds exhibit diverse forms of locomotion, including soaring and flapping flight.
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Jan 23, 2024
Movement
Movement encompasses any physical displacement, from small gestures to large shifts.
The dancer's movement was graceful and fluid.
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Jan 23, 2024
Locomotion
Locomotion refers to the movement of an entire organism through space.
Fish use undulating locomotion to navigate through water.
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Jan 23, 2024
Locomotion
Locomotion is the ability of an organism to move from one place to another.
The cheetah's locomotion is incredibly fast, making it a formidable predator.
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Jan 23, 2024
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Locomotion
Locomotion is the act of self-propulsion to change physical location.
Human locomotion varies from walking and running to using vehicles.
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Jan 23, 2024
Movement
A change in the location of troops, ships, or aircraft for tactical or strategic purposes.
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Jan 22, 2024
Locomotion
Locomotion is the physical movement leading to travel across distances.
The locomotion of snakes is unique, involving lateral undulation.
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Jan 23, 2024
Movement
A series of actions and events taking place over a period of time and working to foster a principle or policy
A movement toward world peace.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
An organized effort by supporters of a common goal
A leader of the labor movement.
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Jan 22, 2024
Locomotion
(uncountable) The ability to move from place to place, or the act of doing so.
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Jan 22, 2024
Locomotion
Self-powered motion by which a whole organism changes its location through walking, running, jumping, crawling, swimming, brachiating or flying.
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Jan 22, 2024
Locomotion
A dance, originally popular in the 1960s, in which the arms are used to mimic the motion of the connecting rods of a steam locomotive.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
The suggestion or illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture, or design.
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Jan 22, 2024
Locomotion
The power of moving from place to place, characteristic of the higher animals and some of the lower forms of plant life.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 22, 2024
Locomotion
The name of a song and a dance, briefly popular in the 1960's; as, do the locomotion.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
(Linguistics) In generative grammar, a transformation in which a constituent in one part of a syntactic structure is copied or displaced into a different location, creating a new structure.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A mechanism, such as the works of a watch, that produces or transmits motion.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
Physical motion between points in space.
I saw a movement in that grass on the hill.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
(engineering) A system or mechanism for transmitting motion of a definite character, or for transforming motion, such as the wheelwork of a watch.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A trend in various fields or social categories, a group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals
The labor movement has been struggling in America since the passage of the Taft-Hartley act in 1947.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
(music) A large division of a larger composition.
Beethoven's movements
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
(aviation) An instance of an aircraft taking off or landing.
Albuquerque International Sunport serviced over 200,000 movements last year.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
(baseball) The deviation of a pitch from ballistic flight.
The movement on his cutter was devastating.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
(bridge) A pattern in which pairs change opponents and boards move from table to table in duplicate bridge.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
The act of moving in space; change of place or posture; motion; as, the movement of an army in marching or maneuvering; the movement of a wheel or a machine.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
Manner or style of moving; as, a slow, or quick, or sudden, movement.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
Transference, by any means, from one situation to another; a change of situation; progress toward a goal; advancement; as, after months of fruitless discussion there was finally some movement toward an agreement.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A system of mechanism for transmitting motion of a definite character, or for transforming motion; as, the wheelwork of a watch; as, a seventeen jewel movement.
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A more or less organized effort by many people to achieve some goal, especially a social or artistic goal; as, the women's liberation movement; the progressive movement in architecture.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 22, 2024
Movement
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
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
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
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals;
He was a charter member of the movement
Politicians have to respect a mass movement
He led the national liberation front
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A major self-contained part of a symphony or sonata;
The second movement is slow and melodic
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end;
He supported populist campaigns
They worked in the cause of world peace
The team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
The movement to end slavery
Contributed to the war effort
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
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
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
A general tendency to change (as of opinion);
Not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book
A broad movement of the electorate to the right
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
The driving and regulating parts of a mechanism (as of a watch or clock);
It was an expensive watch with a diamond movement
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
The act of changing the location of something;
The movement of cargo onto the vessel
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Jan 22, 2024
Movement
Movement refers to the change in position or location of an object or part of it.
The subtle movement of her eyes conveyed her emotions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Movement
Movement can occur in any direction and involves a change in spatial configuration.
The earth's movement around the sun is an annual orbit.
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Jan 23, 2024
Movement
Movement includes the mechanics of how something changes position.
The robot's movement was programmed to mimic human walking.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Movement
Movement is a general term for any type of physical change in position.
The leaves' movement in the wind created a rustling sound.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 23, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is locomotion?
Locomotion is the ability to move from one place to another.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
What are examples of locomotion?
Examples include walking, swimming, and flying.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Is locomotion always voluntary?
Generally, yes, but it can be reflexive in certain organisms.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Can plants show locomotion?
No, plants do not exhibit locomotion but can show movement.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Can movement occur without locomotion?
Yes, like a hand wave or a head nod.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Do all animals show locomotion?
Most animals do, but some, like sponges, do not.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Are there different types of locomotion?
Yes, including terrestrial, aerial, and aquatic.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
How do machines exhibit movement?
Through mechanisms like wheels, gears, and motors.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Can technological devices move?
Yes, many are designed to mimic biological movement.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
How is movement studied scientifically?
Through disciplines like kinematics, biomechanics, and robotics.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Is all movement biological?
No, movement can be mechanical or physical in non-living things.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
What influences locomotion in animals?
Factors like body structure, environment, and energy efficiency.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Can movement occur at a cellular level?
Yes, cells and their components exhibit various movements.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Can locomotion be passive?
Generally, locomotion is active, but passive elements can assist it.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 08, 2024
Do social movements fit this definition?
Social movements refer to collective actions, not physical movement.
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Feb 08, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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