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.

Examples of locomotion in a Sentence

Walking is one form of locomotion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By combining locomotion and arm control into a single system, ANYmal-D can adjust its posture and gait based on the shuttlecock's path, moving more like a human player. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025 But the novella barrels forward with the locomotion evoked in its title, until the end of Grainier’s days, and the end of the Old West. The Atlantic, 15 May 2025 Modern robots can move with incredible agility, mimicking animal locomotion and executing complex tasks with mechanical precision. James Pikul, The Conversation, 2 June 2025 With these laborious methods of locomotion, sea cucumbers were long thought to never exceed speeds of about a yard a day. Katarina Zimmer, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for locomotion

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Locomotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotion. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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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