Meanings of onward motion in English

Do not these obstructions themselves give its water an onward motion?

The water no longer runs in waves of regular onward motion, but leaps up in pyramids and peaks.

That leaves us calm; this elates us with the sense of onward motion against the salt sea air.

This onward motion is recognized in the pessimistic philosophy of Von Hartmann, as a movement towards ever greater possibilities of pain.

The most distant rider was a speck, and the cattle ahead of him were like maggots endowed with a smooth, swift onward motion.

Neither spoke until the pale-faced woman realized the onward motion of the sturdy old liner, and her deep-set eyes had wandered over the nautical surroundings.