locomotive

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv 

1

: locomotory

2

: of or relating to travel

3

: of, relating to, or being a machine that moves about by operation of its own mechanism

locomotive

2 of 2

noun

1

: a self-propelled vehicle that runs on rails and is used for moving railroad cars

2

: a school or college cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed

Examples of locomotive in a Sentence

Adjective

the locomotive ability of spiders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With more than 9,000 conductors, locomotive engineers, yard workers and rail traffic controllers potentially walking off the job, both railroads have implemented more embargoes provide a safer and more orderly shutdown of their rail networks. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 19 Aug. 2024

State of play: The F40 locomotive bid farewell with a final journey earlier this year. —Shawna Chen, Axios, 15 Aug. 2024

Noun

The 350-ton Baldwin locomotive sits at the center of the exhibit. —Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024

Never mind that no one had ever built a nuclear locomotive or run rails through tunnels crossing constantly shifting crevasses. —Paul Bierman, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

locomotive

1 of 2 adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv 

1

: of or relating to locomotion

2

: of, relating to, or being a locomotive

locomotive

2 of 2 noun

: an engine that moves under its own power

especially : one that hauls cars on a railroad

Medical Definition

locomotive

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv 

: locomotor sense 1

locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs