Phrase guide

own motion

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Relating to an investigation by an ombudsman or similar body which was initiated by the body itself, rather than being undertaken in response to a complaint or referral.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, attributive, not-comparable

Examples

  • Extensive media coverage of the issue led the ombudsman to commence an own motion investigation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Anglicisation of the Latinate legal phrase suo motu (“of one's own motion”).