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
An older study from 2009 showed that velvet bean extract improved hormone levels and increased sperm count and motility in infertile men.21
Yohimbe Extract
Studies have shown that yohimbe extract or yohimbine has been shown to cause smooth muscle relaxation.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025
Coffee also stimulates gastrin, a hormone responsible for gastric motility, the movement of food through your digestive tract.3
Studies have also found that the caffeine in coffee may stimulate cholecystokinin production.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 27 Mar. 2025
Groups treated with the RO + MI + SC extract, had 10% more individuals exhibiting the movement (motility) of youthful C. elegans and again outperformed the control on day 13, with 30% still classed in the top motility category.
—New Atlas, 19 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
See All Example Sentences for motility
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Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025
Coffee also stimulates gastrin, a hormone responsible for gastric motility, the movement of food through your digestive tract.3
Studies have also found that the caffeine in coffee may stimulate cholecystokinin production.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 27 Mar. 2025
Groups treated with the RO + MI + SC extract, had 10% more individuals exhibiting the movement (motility) of youthful C. elegans and again outperformed the control on day 13, with 30% still classed in the top motility category.
—New Atlas, 19 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
See All Example Sentences for motility
Cite this Entry
“Motility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motility. Accessed 13 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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