locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən 

1

: an act or the power of moving from place to place

2

: travel

… interest in free locomotion and choice of occupation.

—Zechariah Chafee Jr.

Examples of locomotion in a Sentence

Walking is one form of locomotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

On November 2, robot dogs – and other kinds of machines built for locomotion of some kind – took part in the very first World Robot Mount Taishan Climbing Competition in Tai'an, in China's Shandong province. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

The manipulation challenge Humanoid robotics has made substantial progress in locomotion. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

All the mind-bending presentation and locomotion works because it’s grounded in a city so singular that no amount of paranormal warping can fully strip its identity. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

This change allowed for more efficient locomotion, reducing drag as the body moved across the ground. — The Conversation, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin locus + English motion

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for locomotion

• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

Kids Definition

locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən 

: the act or power of moving from place to place

Medical Definition

locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən 

: an act or the power of moving from place to place : progressive movement (as of an animal body)