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• prime mover
  prime mover

  noun
• Prime Mover
  Prime Mover

  noun

  philosophy God, esp when considered as a first cause

prime mover

American  

noun

1. Mechanics.

   1. the initial agent, as wind or electricity, that puts a machine in motion.

   2. a machine, as a water wheel or steam engine, that receives and modifies energy as supplied by some natural source.

2. means of towing a cannon, as an animal, truck, or tractor.

3. Also called unmoved mover.  Aristotelianism. that which is the first cause of all movement and does not itself move.

4. a person or thing that initiates or gives power and cohesion to something, as an idea, endeavor, or organization.

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prime mover ¹ British  

noun

1. the original or primary force behind an idea, enterprise, etc

2. 1. the source of power, such as fuel, wind, electricity, etc, for a machine

   2. the means of extracting power from such a source, such as a steam engine, electric motor, etc

3. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) that which is the cause of all movement

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Prime Mover ² British  

noun

1. philosophy God, esp when considered as a first cause

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prime mover Idioms  

1. The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of prime mover

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

There’s also a shout out to Danny Gold, the prime mover behind the Israel Defense Forces’ Iron Dome, which was developed in the teeth of opposition from the State Comptroller of Israel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Touting himself as the prime mover behind the transformation of Ivory Coast's economy over 14 years in office, Alassane Ouattara hopes that revamp can help secure him a fourth presidential term Saturday.

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

Although Utah sits on the Pac-12’s fault line with Arizona and ASU, we do not expect the Utes to be a prime mover.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 2023

She added he had played a lesser role and was not the prime mover.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2023

But Laura smiled softly to herself, and turned the lazy Susan at the center of the table around and around as if it were the prime mover, the first gear of her attention.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• instigator
• motivator
• mover