automotive

adjective

au·​to·​mo·​tive ˌȯ-tə-ˈmō-tiv 

1

: self-propelled

2

: of, relating to, or concerned with self-propelled vehicles or machines

Examples of automotive in a Sentence

The store stocks automotive parts.

Recent Examples on the Web

His companies have redrawn the boundaries of multiple economic fields—the automotive industry, the aerospace sector, satellite communications—and his direct influence has helped transform the world’s most powerful government. — Mark O’Connell, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

The tides can often change very quickly in the automotive world. — New Atlas, 4 July 2026

Industrial equipment makers and automotive suppliers can also adopt the same packaging approach for products that demand higher durability. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Volkswagen's challenges are illustrative of the headwinds facing the broader European automotive industry, Luman said, citing challenges on the road to full electrification, competition with Chinese car brands and export problems in major markets. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

auto- + motive entry 2

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for automotive

• locomotive
• electromotive
• emotive
• promotive
• motive
• votive

Kids Definition

automotive

adjective

au·​to·​mo·​tive ˌȯt-ə-ˈmōt-iv 

1

: self-propelled

2

: of, relating to, or concerned with automobiles, trucks, or buses