auto

noun

au·to | \ ˈȯ-(ˌ)tō

, ˈä-\

plural autos

Definition of auto

(Entry 1 of 3)

: automobile

auto

adjective

Definition of auto (Entry 2 of 3)

: automatic

auto-

combining form

Definition of auto- (Entry 3 of 3)

— see aut-

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about auto

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Examples of auto in a Sentence

Noun

the auto gave people a level of mobility that they had never known before

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But auto industry reports point to a tougher road ahead for dealerships as more autonomous vehicles are introduced and consumer attitudes toward ownership change. — Marcia Heroux Pounds, sun-sentinel.com, "JM Family expands from cars to home services," 8 July 2019 The administrator can also set an unattended auto lock duration where the drive will automatically lock after a preset amount of time (5 to 99 minutes). — Dallas News, "Gadget roundup: Speakers that can live outdoors and more," 4 July 2019 Thankfully, today’s auto industry leaders are seemingly not in much danger of making the same mistakes. — Lila Maclellan, Quartz at Work, "How Lee Iacocca, famous for bashing the Japanese, is being remembered in Japan," 3 July 2019 Even more revolutionary: Volvo made the patent free to other auto manufacturers. — Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, "Seven Inventions For a Safer Fourth of July," 3 July 2019 Safety advocates say the auto industry has instead had a mentality of blaming victims, said plaintiffs lawyer Frank Melton. — orlandosentinel.com, "His keyless car killed him while he slept. New legislation could save others.," 1 July 2019 That concept sports car debuted this week in Munich at the new NEXTGen event, essentially the carmaker’s own auto show. — Eshe Nelson, Quartz, "BMW electric car sounds are being made by film composer Hans Zimmer," 29 June 2019 The reason the issue is coming to a head now: Two major auto companies, Tesla and GM, have already crashed into the 200,000-car threshold. — The Washington Post, oregonlive.com, "Electric car tax break sets off battle between automakers, oil and natural gas companies," 27 June 2019 Yet those battles came against the backdrop of declining union power at GM facilities, and throughout the auto industry. — Sarah Jaffe, The New Republic, "The Road Not Taken," 24 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Mexico may agree to proposals that end up requiring somewhat more auto parts to be made in the U.S. — Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, "As Trump Talks Tough on Trade, Worries Mount Over Lack of Action," 28 May 2018 Those in the coldest climates may want to purchase a battery warmer, available at most auto parts stores or online. — David Muller, Car and Driver, "How Severe Cold Affects Your Car (and What to Do about It)," 5 Jan. 2018 Records also showed Harris had called a handful of auto glass repair shops and had searched online for car covers, according to the complaint. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Man charged in hit-and-run crash that killed beloved Milwaukee crossing guard Andrew Tyler," 21 Dec. 2017 Auto critic Mark Phelan contributed to this report. — Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "View from a tire-burning, 840-horsepower Dodge Demon gives a taste of Roadkill Nights," 11 Aug. 2017 Auto stop-start can shut down the engine from speeds as high as 14 mph and now uses the camera to read the car’s surroundings. — Eric Tingwall, Car and Driver, "2019 Audi A8: Flagship Floats on Active Suspension," 12 July 2017 Auto hauler and logistics provider Jack Cooper has reached a deal with bondholders to restructure more than $400 million in debt. — Paul Page, WSJ, "Today’s Top Supply Chain and Logistics News From WSJ," 20 June 2017 A GASKET: Auto parts retailer AutoZone stumbled after its results were weaker than expected. — Marley Jay, The Mercury News, "U.S. stocks inch higher as health care companies gain ground," 23 May 2017 Auto demand in China has been cooling since Beijing raised a sales tax on small-engine vehicles at the start of the year, putting off drivers from buying cars. — Kelvin Chan, Fox News, "China auto sales shrink in April as demand cools sharply," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'auto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.