motility
noun
mo·til·i·ty
mō-ˈti-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being motile : capability of movement
Actin is found in almost all kinds of non-muscle cells where it is thought to have an important role in cell motility.—
Toshio Yanagida et al.
Toshio Yanagida et al.Checks shape, concentration, motility, and number of sperm.—Michael Gold
Michael Gold2
: the ability of the muscles of the digestive tract to undergo contraction
… some GERD patients have impaired gut motility, meaning that their stomachs empty too slowly.—Andrew Weil
Andrew Weil"Esophageal motility" refers to the action of the esophagus walls' musculature in propelling food downward to the stomach.—Paul G. Donohue
Paul G. DonohuePatients with scleroderma may have abnormal motility of the small intestine …—Hani C. Soudah et al.
Hani C. Soudah et al.Examples of motility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to acid production, caffeine also stimulates intestinal motility.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2025
The Dead to Me star advised listeners who suffer from similar symptoms to consider discussing motility issues with their doctors, as MS can slow down the functioning of vital organs.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
The ability of sperm to properly swim through the female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize an egg is called motility.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
However, a motility count of less than 5 million per milliliter of semen is associated with a severe case of oligospermia, or low sperm count, which often leads to male infertility, the study said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motility
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Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2025
The Dead to Me star advised listeners who suffer from similar symptoms to consider discussing motility issues with their doctors, as MS can slow down the functioning of vital organs.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
The ability of sperm to properly swim through the female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize an egg is called motility.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
However, a motility count of less than 5 million per milliliter of semen is associated with a severe case of oligospermia, or low sperm count, which often leads to male infertility, the study said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motility
Cite this Entry
“Motility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motility. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
motility
noun
mo·til·i·ty
mō-ˈtil-ət-ē
plural motilities
1
: the quality or state of being motile : capability of movement
sperm motility
2
: the ability of the muscles of the digestive tract to undergo contraction
Patients with scleroderma may have abnormal motility of the small intestine …—Hani C. Soudah et al.
Hani C. Soudah et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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