locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce locomotion (audio)
1
: an act or the power of moving from place to place
2
: travel
interest in free locomotion and choice of occupationZechariah Chafee Jr.

Example Sentences

Walking is one form of locomotion.
Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, cell biologists have begun to suspect that these forces play a significant role, not just in locomotion but in proliferation, differentiation and other processes. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2021 Local navigation and locomotion of legged robots are commonly split into separate modules. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2023 As Marie, Zofia Mendez and Caroline O’Hagan, both 10, distinctly embody their character’s delicately strong-headed personality with dancerly locomotion and poise. Robert Greskovic, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2022 These sounds, called soniferous behavior, are not a by-product of locomotion or feeding, but true communication between or among animals. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022 The team was able to successfully demonstrate all of Cobra’s modes of locomotion and took home the Artemis Award, the competition’s top honors. WIRED, 15 Feb. 2023 So far, in particular for locomotion, most control approaches have focused on using simplified models for online motion and foothold generation. IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2021 The evolutionary ball started rolling, of course, when walking on two feet meant the hands were no longer needed for locomotion. Madelaine Böhme, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2020 Also, there are new algorithms that have been developed recently that have enabled advancements in legged locomotion, machine vision, and manipulation. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'locomotion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin locus + English motion

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of locomotion was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near locomotion

Cite this Entry

“Locomotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotion. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

locomotion

noun
lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce locomotion (audio)
: the act or power of moving from place to place

Medical Definition

locomotion

noun
lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce locomotion (audio)
: an act or the power of moving from place to place : progressive movement (as of an animal body)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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