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

Two of the citations are for operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Lee, who lived a half mile from the laundromat, had three arrests for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, all from more than a decade ago, police said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026

Prosecutors allege Dick assaulted Buckingham with a motor vehicle on March 19. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026

In Torrington, a motor vehicle crash early Sunday morning left a man in critical condition, police said. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

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