motor vehicle

noun

: an automotive vehicle not operated on rails

especially : one with rubber tires for use on highways

Synonyms of motor vehicle

• car
• bus
• automobile
• machine
• wheels

Examples of motor vehicle in a Sentence

You can register your car at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

got a license to drive a motor vehicle the minute she turned 16

Recent Examples on the Web

Jason Ortiz was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, and failing to stop for police. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025

In the other case, Danielle Simons was charged in 2023 with motor vehicle trespass in Aurora Municipal Court. —Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025

The Lewisville Fire Department is mourning one if its own, who died Thursday in a motor vehicle accident. —Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

This becomes an even bigger issue when children are using these bikes, Kuntz said, because parents could be arrested for allowing an unauthorized and unlicensed minor to operate a motor vehicle. —Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

motor vehicle

noun

: a motorized vehicle (as an automobile or motorcycle) not operated on rails