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

Bossell is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle in connection with the death of 29-year-old Graham Hoffman. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026

Mullin argued that the restriction conflicted with ERIC’s use of motor vehicle records to identify people for voter-registration outreach. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026

According to the agency, Tesla notified NHTSA of its decision to certify Cybercabs as the company says the vehicles comply with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Older pedestrians, like Melville, aren’t injured by motor vehicles at a greater rate than younger ones, according to 2023 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 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