locomotion

American  

[loh-kuh-moh-shuhn] / ˌloʊ kəˈmoʊ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or power of moving from place to place.

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locomotion British  

/ ˌləʊkəˈməʊʃən /

noun

1. the act, fact, ability, or power of moving

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locomotion Scientific  

/ lō′kə-mō′shən /

1. The movement of an organism from one place to another, often by the action of appendages such as flagella, limbs, or wings. In some animals, such as fish, locomotion results from a wavelike series of muscle contractions.

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Etymology

Origin of locomotion

First recorded in 1640–50; see origin at locomotive, motion

Explanation

Locomotion refers to the ability to move. "The Loco-motion" is also a dance-song popularized by Grand Funk Railroad. Google it; you won't be sorry. "Come on baby, do the loco-motion!" See the word motion in locomotion? That's a clue that this word has to do with movement. An animal is capable of locomotion if it can move on its own. For example, a dog's legs and a bird's wings give them locomotion. Our legs are our tools for locomotion too. Locomotion is also an instance of traveling. If you get on a train, that’s locomotion.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile it took Kylie Minogue 17 years after the release of Locomotion to win Best Dance Recording in 2004.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2015

Locomotion in cephalopods is facilitated by ejecting a stream of water for propulsion.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

As the reverberations of The Walk faded beneath rowdier R&B dance songs such as The Twist and The Locomotion, McCracklin returned to the blues club circuit a somewhat disappointed man.

From The Guardian • Dec. 28, 2012

“Here,” Mr. Ellis said, picking up a scientific article with the title “Underwater Bipedal Locomotion by Octopuses in Disguise.”

From New York Times • Aug. 20, 2012

Locomotion is never easy and graceful, and a firm, even tread cannot be expected.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.