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

See Examples For:

locomotion

Runtime is a problem "plaguing every humanoid company" Griffin says – locomotion and moving joints are power consuming.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

“He did, what I think is a very thorough job figuring out what’s causing this movement in the case of locomotion and tying down the mechanical elements,” Goard said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

The LIS researchers teamed up with Auke Ijspeert of EPFL's BioRobotics Lab, and with Monica Daley's Neuromechanics Lab at University of California, Irvine, to adapt bird biomechanics to robotic locomotion.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 6, 2024

The research, which focuses on "efficient and versatile locomotion with legs," is funded by the EU through an ERC Advanced Grant.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 18, 2024

Standing up, it’s easier to scan the savannah for game or enemies, and arms that are unnecessary for locomotion are freed for other purposes, like throwing stones or signalling.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari