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.

Checks shape, concentration, motility, and number of sperm.

—Michael Gold

2

: 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

"Esophageal motility" refers to the action of the esophagus walls' musculature in propelling food downward to the stomach.

—Paul G. Donohue

Patients with scleroderma may have abnormal motility of the small intestine …

—Hani C. Soudah et al.

Examples of motility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s generally because of the slowing of gastrointestinal motility; food sitting in the stomach for a long time might send a mistaken signal to the brain that there’s something wrong with the digestion process. —Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 18 Feb. 2025

Stress, anxiety, or depression affects nerves that communicate to the gut, influencing gut sensitivity, pain, and motility. —Brittany Dube, Health, 8 Feb. 2025

Farting is a sign of good gut motility. — KUMKUM PATEL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD What Causes Farting While Walking? —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 7 Feb. 2025

This affects the muscles in the digestive tract and slows down digestion and gastric motility. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motility

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility

Medical 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.