motor

1 of 3

noun

mo·​tor ˈmō-tər How to pronounce motor (audio)
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
motordom noun
motorless adjective

motor

2 of 3

adjective

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

motor

3 of 3

verb

motored; motoring; motors

intransitive verb

1
: to travel by automobile : drive
2
: to move or proceed at a vigorous steady pace
motored down the field for a touchdown

transitive verb

: 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
Noun
But despite the better performance, this car isn’t as nippy as dual motor Teslas, nor is the performance delivery so immediate. James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 Combine it with the trio of electric motors, each of which was built in-house like the engine, and the total output jumps to a staggering 1,184 horses. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Pre-Motor Stage Parkinson's disease may begin decades before a person notices a single motor symptom. Patti Greco, Health, 14 Apr. 2023 Under braking, the e-axle and rear e-motor contribute to the stopping process, allowing the friction brakes to recharge the battery more effectively. WIRED, 29 Mar. 2023
Verb
That article appeared in The Times' luxury section, by the way, not motoring. New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2024 The judges included British architect, author, and aesthete Stephen Bayley, Peter Read of the Royal Automobile Club, and Adolfo Orsi, motoring historian and scion of the noble family which founded Maserati in nearby Modena. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for motor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin, from movēre to move

First Known Use

Noun

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1895, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of motor was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near motor

Cite this Entry

“Motor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motor. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

motor

1 of 3 noun
mo·​tor ˈmōt-ər How to pronounce motor (audio)
1
: a machine that produces motion or power for doing work
a gasoline motor
electric motors
2
motorless adjective

motor

2 of 3 adjective
1
: 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 How to pronounce motor (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on motor

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