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
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
But once one imagines this giant, disturbing, absurd pest as the size of a toddler, much of his behavior starts to look toddlerlike, from his fumbling to learn gross motor coordination to his pickiness about meals and his desire to hang from the ceiling.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Which will make the lineups have an R1 RAD with a quad-motor powertrain and the R2 RAD model featuring a tri-motor powertrain.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
Kubie Brown, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
Aberg was 5 under through his opening four holes and motored his way around the TPC Sawgrass with one amazing shot after another.
—Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motor
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) team developed a two-way shape memory hybrid actuator capable of rapid, reversible motion without relying on traditional motors.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
But once one imagines this giant, disturbing, absurd pest as the size of a toddler, much of his behavior starts to look toddlerlike, from his fumbling to learn gross motor coordination to his pickiness about meals and his desire to hang from the ceiling.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
There’s a chance a tri-motor powertrain will also be made available down the line.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Which will make the lineups have an R1 RAD with a quad-motor powertrain and the R2 RAD model featuring a tri-motor powertrain.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
With water temperatures in the low 60’s and only four hours left to fish, Bennett and Shad motored over to a new spot on the west end of the lake where the water was shallower.
—Kubie Brown, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
Aberg was 5 under through his opening four holes and motored his way around the TPC Sawgrass with one amazing shot after another.
—Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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