locomotive

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
1
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
At least one locomotive and one fuel tank went into the New River, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division said. Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, 8 Mar. 2023 Train crew not at fault, NTSB chair says The 149-car train operated by Norfolk Southern had three employees on board: a locomotive engineer, a conductor and a trainee who were all in the head end of the locomotive, Homendy told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Thursday. Nicki Brown, CNN, 25 Feb. 2023 Water drips from the undersides of the locomotive boilers, leaving muddy paths alongside the wheels. Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2023 Greenfield’s locomotive tribute includes eight rosettes, signifying destinations along a route. Cierra Black, Essence, 18 Aug. 2023 Workers have also gone on strike this summer at coffee shops, locomotive plants, bookstores, legal clinics, hotels, and a beer factory. Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023 On a recent afternoon in the former locomotive factory where Q-CTRL has its offices, Professor Biercuk said the next few years will be crucial. Damien Cave, New York Times, 28 July 2023 Dead Reckoning glances backwards to the 1996 movie that started it all, which also happened to end with a blast of locomotive action. Vulture, 14 July 2023 Mayer and Weir have largely split lead vocals this summer, but Weir is steering the locomotive tonight. Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023
Noun
Diesel locomotives typically have a useful life of 40 years or more, but the regulation would bar those that are 23-years or older from running in the state after 2029. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2023 Check Out the Museums Step back in time to Frisco's past at the Frisco Heritage Museum, where exhibits include pioneer items such as a log cabin, schoolhouse, old jail, a steam locomotive and caboose, Gaby's Blacksmith Shop, the Frisco Railroad Depot, historic homes, and even a windmill. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2023 The film’s production designer, Jack Fisk, also built a re-creation of Fairfax’s old railroad depot and brought in a vintage locomotive. Todd Longwell, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023 In all, the district soon will have a total of 11 locomotives and 39 cars. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2023 The batteries also could power a range of other vehicles from railroad locomotives to motorboats, as well as heavy construction equipment. Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 9 June 2023 While workers at a train manufacturer Wabtec in Erie, Pennsylvania ended a two-month strike this week that included calls for greater investment in green technology for sustainable locomotives. Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2023 The 611 locomotive pulls 11 passenger cars, which offer four classes of seating. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023 In one hand, Elizabeth carried a large leather clutch in the shape of a steam locomotive. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of locomotive was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near locomotive

Cite this Entry

“Locomotive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotive. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

locomotive

1 of 2 adjective
lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
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 How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
: locomotor sense 1
locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs

More from Merriam-Webster on locomotive

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