motor vehicle

noun

: an automotive vehicle not operated on rails

especially : one with rubber tires for use on highways

Synonyms of motor vehicle

• car
• bus
• automobile
• machine
• wheels

Examples of motor vehicle in a Sentence

You can register your car at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

got a license to drive a motor vehicle the minute she turned 16

Recent Examples on the Web

The teen is charged with third-degree robbery, third-degree assault, and larceny of motor vehicle, according to Murgo. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Today, Harkey is the president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a nonprofit organization funded by the auto insurance industry that works to reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities and injuries. — Joel Rose, NPR, 23 July 2026

Morrow was charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, disturbing the peace, carrying a firearm without a license, and unregistered motor vehicle. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 July 2026

Among children ages 5 through 14, drowning is second only to motor vehicle crashes of unintentional injury deaths. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

motor vehicle

noun

: a motorized vehicle (as an automobile or motorcycle) not operated on rails