automotive

American  

[aw-tuh-moh-tiv, aw-tuh-moh-tiv] / ˌɔ təˈmoʊ tɪv, ˈɔ təˌmoʊ tɪv /

adjective

1. pertaining to the design, operation, manufacture, or sale of automobiles.

   automotive parts.

2. propelled by a self-contained motor, engine, or the like.

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noun

1. Informal. an industry, store department, etc., specializing in appliances and parts for cars, trucks, and other motorized vehicles.

   You may find what you're looking for in automotive.

automotive British  

/ ˌɔːtəˈməʊtɪv /

adjective

1. relating to motor vehicles

2. self-propelling

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonautomotive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of automotive

First recorded in 1860–65; auto- ¹ + motive

Explanation

Anything automotive has to do with automobiles — in other words, cars. The automotive industry, for example, is all about making and selling cars. If the windshield wipers fall off your car, get new ones at an automotive store. The word automotive comes from the Greek auto for “self” and motive for “moving," which makes sense for what the word may have meant in the late 1800s — a self-propelled helicopter-like machine for one person. Don’t bother looking for one of those, though, automotive now just refers to car stuff. If you're interested in automotive technology, you might become a mechanic. Or maybe you could figure out how to make one of those little helicopters.

Example Sentences

"To secure the future of the automotive industry in Saxony and in Germany, it is essential not to ignore this reality," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

Koc Holding is a family-run conglomerate set up in the 1920s whose main sectors are energy, automotive, durable consumer goods and finance, although it is also involved in technology, food, retail, tourism, agriculture and shipbuilding.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

However, a sharp weakening of the Japanese yen triggered a massive secular outperformance for Japanese exporters, specifically automotive and electronics stocks.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

Nearly 1,000 workers at a Michigan automotive supplier are set to strike, stalling the production of key parts for General Motors’ GM -1.32%decrease; red down pointing triangle midsize and full-size pickup trucks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

You’d have to be deep into the massive automotive clot to feel that abandoning your car was your only course of action.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman