1
: one that imparts motion
specifically
: prime mover
2
: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: such as
a
: a small compact engine
b
: internal combustion engine
especially
: a gasoline engine
c
: a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy
3
1
a
: causing or imparting motion
b
: of, relating to, or being a motor neuron or a nerve containing motor neurons
motor fiber
c
: of, relating to, concerned with, or involving muscular movement
motor areas of the brain
2
a
: equipped with or driven by a motor
b
: of, relating to, or involving an automobile
motor fuel/oil
a motor accident
c
: designed for motor vehicles or motorists
motored; motoring; motors
1
: to travel by automobile : drive
2
: to move or proceed at a vigorous steady pace
motored down the field for a touchdown
: to transport by automobile
Examples of motor in a Sentence
Noun
the device was equipped with a small electrical motor to make the gears spin
went shopping for a new automobile at Valley Motors
Adjective
motor areas of the brain
Verb
We spent the afternoon motoring through the countryside.
The car motored slowly up the hill.
Recent Examples on the Web
William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Other symptoms can include loss of motor skills — problems walking, swallowing or muscle spasms.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2026
Symptoms include tremors, slow movements, poor posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, speech changes, and non-motor symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
Fred Schruers, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Still Talking, her final book, will star the same wonderful characters motoring through their days on tides of chat.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motor
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Noun
With a simple yet stylish presentation, the 2026 Indian Chief Vintage features an 116-cubic-inch motor that closely resembles the 74-cubic-inch motor from the 1940s in both form and function.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Other symptoms can include loss of motor skills — problems walking, swallowing or muscle spasms.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
During a public demonstration in Hobart, the ship’s massive battery-electric propulsion system drove its waterjets through an initial e-motor trial.
—New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2026
Symptoms include tremors, slow movements, poor posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, speech changes, and non-motor symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
But just months into walking away from his writing métier, Winslow discovered, somewhat to his surprise, the same creative urgings that long served to motor his craft.
—Fred Schruers, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Still Talking, her final book, will star the same wonderful characters motoring through their days on tides of chat.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motor
Cite this Entry
“Motor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motor. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
motor
1 of 3 noun
mo·tor
ˈmōt-ər 
1
: a machine that produces motion or power for doing work
a gasoline motor
electric motors
2
: motor vehicle
especially
: automobile entry 2
motor
2 of 3 adjective1
: causing or giving motion
motor power
2
a
: of, relating to, or being a nerve, neuron, or nerve fiber that carries a nerve impulse to a muscle causing movement
motor nerves
b
: concerned with or involving muscular movement
motor areas of the brain
a motor reaction
3
a
: equipped with or driven by a motor
b
: of, relating to, or designed for use in an automobile
a motor accident
a motor mechanic
motor
3 of 3 verb
: to travel or transport by automobile : drive
Medical Definition
motor
adjective
mo·tor
ˈmōt-ər
1
: causing or imparting motion
2
: of, relating to, or being a motor neuron or a nerve containing motor neurons
motor fibers
motor cells
3
: of, relating to, concerned with, or involving muscular movement
motor areas of the brain
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