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

The cognitive scientist studying fish locomotion cannot fully appreciate the experience of swimming by observing from outside the water. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

These are small, identifiable pieces of DNA that are already known to influence key traits like coat color, body structure, locomotion, and behavior. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025

Dynamic locomotion of legged robots is a critical yet challenging topic in expanding the operational range of mobile robots. —Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2025

For example, the nuance of human locomotion sometimes gets lost in the generative shuffle, producing people who appear to walk backward. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2025

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)