Notion vs. Motion — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 7, 2024
Notion refers to a concept, idea, or belief held by an individual or group, while motion denotes physical movement or the process of moving.
Difference Between Notion and Motion
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A notion encapsulates an individual's understanding or interpretation of something, which can be abstract, like a theory, or concrete, like an opinion about an event. Motion, on the other hand, is concerned with the physical displacement or change in position of an object or entity, governed by the laws of physics.
While notions are subjective and can vary widely between individuals or cultures, motion is objective, measurable, and can be quantified through parameters like velocity, acceleration, and momentum. This distinction highlights the difference between the abstract, mental realm of ideas and the tangible, physical world of movement.
In terms of application, notions play a crucial role in shaping beliefs, decisions, and behaviors in various fields such as philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Motion is central to disciplines like physics, engineering, and biology, where understanding the principles of movement is essential to explaining and predicting phenomena.
The relationship between notion and motion can be seen in how ideas lead to action; a notion can inspire motion, as when a concept or belief motivates an individual to move or act in a certain way. However, the two terms operate in fundamentally different domains: the conceptual versus the physical.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A concept, idea, or belief held by an individual or group.
The act or process of moving, or a change in position.
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Nature
Abstract and subjective.
Physical and objective.
Measurement
Not measurable; varies by individual interpretation.
Quantifiable through parameters like speed and acceleration.
Application
Influences beliefs, decisions, and behaviors in various fields.
Central to understanding phenomena in physics, engineering, etc.
Relationship
Can inspire action or movement.
Governed by physical laws and principles.
Compare with Definitions
Notion
An individual's impression or understanding of something.
His notion of fairness differed significantly from hers.
Motion
The mechanics of movement in physics, involving velocity, acceleration, and force.
Newton's laws of motion describe the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it.
Notion
A whimsical or fanciful idea; an inclination.
She had a sudden notion to travel the world.
Motion
The action or process of moving or being moved.
The graceful motion of the dancer captivated the audience.
Notion
A belief or idea formed without firm evidence.
The notion that the Earth is flat has been debunked by science.
Motion
Physical movement or activity.
Exercise involves continuous motion to improve health.
Notion
A concept or theory, especially when speculative.
The philosopher introduced a complex notion about human consciousness.
Motion
A change in position of an object with respect to time.
The planet's motion around the sun is elliptical.
Notion
A generalized understanding or vague idea.
He had only a basic notion of how the machine worked.
Motion
A formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly.
The senator filed a motion to postpone the vote.
Notion
A conception of or belief about something
I had no notion of what her words meant
Children have different notions about the roles of their parents
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.
Notion
An impulse or desire, especially one of a whimsical kind
She had a notion to ring her friend at work
Motion
The action or process of moving or being moved
A cushioned shoe that doesn't restrict motion
The laws of planetary motion
Notion
Items used in sewing, such as buttons, pins, and hooks.
Motion
A formal proposal put to a legislature or committee
Opposition parties tabled a no-confidence motion
Notion
A belief or opinion
Had an old-fashioned notion of what qualities were most important in a mate.
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
Notion
A mental image; an idea or conception
Do you have any notion of what I'm referring to?.
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
Notion
An impulse or whim
I suddenly had the notion of walking by the river.
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
Notion
Notions Small lightweight items for household use, such as needles, buttons, and thread.
Motion
The act or process of changing position or place.
Notion
Mental apprehension of whatever may be known, thought, or imagined; idea, concept.
Motion
A meaningful or expressive change in the position of the body or a part of the body; a gesture.
Notion
A sentiment; an opinion.
Motion
Active operation
Set the plan in motion.
Notion
(obsolete) Sense; mind.
Motion
The ability or power to move
Lost motion in his arm.
Notion
(colloquial) An invention; an ingenious device; a knickknack.
Yankee notions
Motion
The manner in which the body moves, as in walking.
Notion
Any small article used in sewing and haberdashery, either for attachment to garments or as a tool, such as a button, zipper, or thimble.
Motion
A prompting from within; an impulse or inclination
Resigned of her own motion.
Notion
(colloquial) Inclination; intention; disposition.
I have a notion' to do it.
Motion
(Music) Melodic ascent and descent of pitch.
Notion
Mental apprehension of whatever may be known or imagined; an idea; a conception; more properly, a general or universal conception, as distinguishable or definable by marks or notæ.
What hath been generally agreed on, I content myself to assume under the notion of principles.
Few agree in their notions about these words.
That notion of hunger, cold, sound, color, thought, wish, or fear which is in the mind, is called the "idea" of hunger, cold, etc.
Notion, again, signifies either the act of apprehending, signalizing, that is, the remarking or taking note of, the various notes, marks, or characters of an object which its qualities afford, or the result of that act.
Motion
(Law) An application made to a court for an order or a ruling.
Notion
A sentiment; an opinion.
The extravagant notion they entertain of themselves.
A perverse will easily collects together a system of notions to justify itself in its obliquity.
Motion
A formal proposal put to the vote under parliamentary procedures.
Notion
Sense; mind.
Motion
A mechanical device or piece of machinery that moves or causes motion; a mechanism.
Notion
An invention; an ingenious device; a knickknack; as, Yankee notions.
Motion
The movement or action of such a device.
Notion
Inclination; intention; disposition; as, I have a notion to do it.
Motion
To direct by making a gesture
Motioned us to our seats.
Notion
Miscellaneous small objects; sundries; - usually referring to articles displayed together for sale.
Motion
To indicate by making a gesture; signal
Motioned that he was ready.
Notion
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Motion
To make a motion (that something should happen).
Notion
A general inclusive concept
Motion
To signal by making a gesture
Motioned to her to enter.
Notion
An odd or fanciful or capricious idea;
The theatrical notion of disguise is associated with disaster in his stories
He had a whimsy about flying to the moon
Whimsy can be humorous to someone with time to enjoy it
Motion
(uncountable) A state of progression from one place to another.
Notion
(usually plural) small personal articles or clothing or sewing items;
Buttons and needles are notions
Motion
(countable) A change of position with respect to time.
Motion
(physics) A change from one place to another.
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
Common Curiosities
How do notions influence behavior?
Notions influence behavior by shaping an individual's beliefs, attitudes, and decisions, which in turn guide their actions.
Can a notion lead to motion?
Yes, a notion or idea can inspire or motivate an individual to take action, thereby leading to motion or movement.
Is motion always visible?
Not all motion is visible to the naked eye, such as microscopic or very slow movements, but it can be measured or observed with the right tools.
Do notions change over time?
Yes, notions can evolve with new information, experiences, or changes in perspective, leading to a shift in beliefs or ideas.
What is the difference between a notion and an idea?
A notion can be seen as a specific type of idea, often less developed and more speculative, whereas an idea is a more general term for a thought or concept.
Can motion exist without a physical entity?
Motion inherently involves a physical entity; without something moving or changing position, there is no motion.
How is motion measured?
Motion is measured using parameters like velocity (speed in a given direction), acceleration (rate of change of velocity), and displacement (change in position).
What are the implications of motion in physics?
Understanding motion is fundamental in physics as it allows for the prediction and explanation of physical phenomena, from everyday occurrences to celestial movements.
Can motion be predicted?
With a thorough understanding of the laws of motion and initial conditions, the motion of an object can often be accurately predicted.
Are all motions governed by the same principles?
While different scales and contexts (e.g., quantum vs. classical mechanics) may involve different principles, all motions are governed by the fundamental laws of physics.
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Written 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.
Co-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.
