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
: motor vehicle
especially
: automobile
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
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
Luis Martinez, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
This project secures funding through the Critical Design Review phase, procurement of long lead material for qualification, and will enable increased and accelerated capacity for solid rocket motor production, according to a press release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Pre-Motor Stage Parkinson's disease may begin decades before a person notices a single motor symptom.
—Patti Greco, Health, 14 Apr. 2023
Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
The suspect fled the scene, motoring his boat toward the Intracoastal Waterway.
—Chris Arnold, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Both as a technician responsible for inspecting, servicing and repairing motor transport equipment like tactical vehicles and as a vehicle recovery operator, responsible for bringing back armored vehicles in support of troop missions.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
This project secures funding through the Critical Design Review phase, procurement of long lead material for qualification, and will enable increased and accelerated capacity for solid rocket motor production, according to a press release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Non-motor symptoms can include depression, anxiety, hallucinations, apathy, sleep disorders, loss of smell, digestive issues and orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up), according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Pre-Motor Stage Parkinson's disease may begin decades before a person notices a single motor symptom.
—Patti Greco, Health, 14 Apr. 2023
Verb
The de facto captain oriented himself by motoring northwest along the coast towards Havana.
—Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
The suspect fled the scene, motoring his boat toward the Intracoastal Waterway.
—Chris Arnold, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for motor
Cite this Entry
“Motor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motor. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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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