locomotive

adjective lo·co·mo·tive \ ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv \

Definition of locomotive

1 :locomotory

2 :of or relating to travel

3 :of, relating to, or being a machine that moves about by operation of its own mechanism

See locomotive defined for English-language learners

See locomotive defined for kids

Examples of locomotive in a Sentence

the locomotive ability of spiders

Recent Examples of locomotive from the Web

The other option is to augment an existing design with additional boost—like adding more locomotive cars to a train to pull more freight.

— bobak ferdowsi, Popular Mechanics, "Why the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket Just Might Work," 31 July 2017
The remoteness of the locomotive factory in India adds cost and complexity, but GE is building its future on the plan.

— paul page, WSJ, "Today’s Top Supply Chain and Logistics News From WSJ," 30 June 2017
Locomotive Terr. and Caboose Terr., 5 a.m. June 21.

— Washington Post, "Loudoun County crime report," 28 June 2017
There’s an historic railroad locomotive right in front of our building.

— nicholas sakelaris, star-telegram.com, "Station Patio Icehouse taking stake in Old Town Keller," 23 June 2017
The agency also has expanded the rail car and locomotive rehabilitation program and deployed the Ventra app, which enables riders to buy tickets on their phones.

— mary wisniewski, chicagotribune.com, "Martin Oberman, ex-Chicago alderman, stepping down from Metra board," 19 June 2017
In the letter, Tucker stated that efforts are underway to address platform security, locomotive emissions, noise from the trains’ horns and other potential impacts on the environment and surrounding neighborhoods.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Third railroad track completed in Oceanside," 9 June 2017

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

First Known Use of locomotive

1612

locomotive

noun

Definition of locomotive

1 :a self-propelled vehicle that runs on rails and is used for moving railroad cars

2 :a school or college cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed

See locomotive defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of locomotive from the Web

Another 21 new locomotives will be delivered by January.

— mary wisniewski, chicagotribune.com, "New trains to shave hour off Amtrak's Chicago-to-St. Louis trip: state," 29 Aug. 2017
In addition to locomotives, complete with the sounds of their whistles, the exhibit included a patch of pavement from Route 66, the westward-leading highway, streetcars, a school bus, a 1940s hot rod, motorcycles and cars of various vintages.

— matt schudel, Washington Post, "William L. Withuhn, the Smithsonian’s transportation curator, dies at 75," 12 Aug. 2017
In a green move, the locomotives are powered by bio-diesel created by recycling cooking oil used elsewhere around Disneyland.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "One of Disneyland’s Most Iconic Attractions Is Back in Action," 7 Aug. 2017
Jeffrey Harris, the Jones family’s attorney, also noted that the train’s brakes weren’t applied until after the locomotive struck a hospital bed the filmmakers had placed across the tracks.

— Washington Post, "Jury: Railroad to pay $3.9M for train death of film worker," 17 July 2017
The derailment happened 30 cars back from the two locomotives in the front.

— jesse garza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "West Allis Train derailment could take until Saturday afternoon to clean up as Greenfield Ave. remains closed," 6 July 2017
Everyone knows the passenger locomotive was once king in Kansas City.

— darryl levings, kansascity.com, "Before Union Station, two KC train stations bustled with lively characters and locomotion," 30 June 2017
In the back is the outdoor replica Wild West town, complete with cowboy shows, a steam locomotive and a carousel.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Cowboys, cowgirls key to Wild West Town endurance," 30 June 2017
Some of the trains are still pulled by the original locomotives.

— terry gardner, latimes.com, "Road trip of the future: Travel with John Muir, where the scenery is unreal and the kids fight over who sits in the back," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of locomotive

1829

LOCOMOTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

locomotive

adjective

Definition of locomotive for English Language Learners

: of or relating to movement from place to place : of or relating to locomotion

locomotive

noun

Definition of locomotive for English Language Learners

: the vehicle that produces the power that pulls a train

LOCOMOTIVE Defined for Kids

locomotive

noun lo·co·mo·tive \ ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv \

Definition of locomotive for Students

:a vehicle that moves under its own power and is used to haul cars on a railroad

Medical Dictionary

locomotive

adjective lo·co·mo·tive \ ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv \

medical Definition of locomotive

:locomotor 1

locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs

Learn More about locomotive

See words that rhyme with locomotive Spanish Central: Translation of locomotive Nglish: Translation of locomotive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of locomotive for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about locomotive

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locomotive

Definition of locomotive

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First Known Use of locomotive

LOCOMOTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

locomotive

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locomotive

Definition of locomotive for English Language Learners

LOCOMOTIVE Defined for Kids

locomotive

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Medical Dictionary

locomotive

medical Definition of locomotive

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