locomotive

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv 

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

locomotive

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of locomotive in a Sentence

Adjective

the locomotive ability of spiders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Jael Holzman writes and speaks with locomotive urgency, as a political and climate reporter as well as a co-founder of the Washington, D.C., punk trio Ekko Astral. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025

Making no effort to conceal the creaking obviousness of the sets—the site of a locomotive crash, a veranda overlooking a beautiful garden—Gomes revels in a blatant Old Hollywood artifice. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025

Noun

Instead of seamlessly operating over state lines to move goods and people as efficiently as possible, the railroad would have to stop at the state line and switch locomotives to comply with each state’s differing law. —Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Early in his tenure, the famously pro-train president persuaded Congress to approve $66 billion in new spending for track improvements, expansions and upgrades, along with funding for new trains and locomotives to haul them faster and more efficiently. —Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for locomotive

• automotive
• electromotive
• emotive
• promotive
• motive
• votive

Kids Definition

locomotive

1 of 2 adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv 

1

: of or relating to locomotion

2

: of, relating to, or being a locomotive

locomotive

2 of 2 noun

: an engine that moves under its own power

especially : one that hauls cars on a railroad

Medical Definition

locomotive

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv 

: locomotor sense 1

locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs