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Synonyms

motor vehicle

American  
[moh-ter vee-i-kuhl, vee-hi-] / ˈmoʊ tər ˈvi ɪ kəl, ˈvi hɪ- /

noun

  1. an automobile, truck, bus, or similar motor-driven conveyance.


motor vehicle British  

noun

  1. a road vehicle driven by a motor or engine, esp an internal-combustion engine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of motor vehicle

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The cemeteries, neighborhood councils and clergy leaders had opposed the loss of motor vehicle lanes, saying it would cause a traffic nightmare.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 21, 2026

Among major categories, retail sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were down 1.8 percent from the prior month.

From Barron's Aug. 14, 2026

But he pleaded guilty to keeping a motor vehicle which does not meet insurance requirements and was ordered to pay a £666 fine, £100 costs and a £266 victim surcharge.

From BBC Aug. 4, 2026

“Boy, don’t you know you gotta be 16-years-old to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Kentucky?” he asked.

From Salon Jul. 3, 2026

“Lost kids, lost dogs, a few motor vehicle violations, but no crime.”

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

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