locomotive

American  

[loh-kuh-moh-tiv] / ˌloʊ kəˈmoʊ tɪv /

noun

1. a self-propelled, vehicular engine, powered by steam, a diesel, or electricity, for pulling or, sometimes, pushing a train or individual railroad cars.

2. an organized group cheer, usually led by a cheerleader, as at a football or basketball game, that begins slowly and progressively increases in speed in such a way as to suggest a steam locomotive.

3. Archaic. any self-propelled vehicle.

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adjective

1. of or relating to locomotives.

2. of, relating to, or aiding in locomotion or movement from place to place.

   the locomotive powers of most animals.

3. moving or traveling by means of its own mechanism or powers.

4. serving to produce such movement; adapted for or used in locomotion.

   locomotive organs.

5. having the power of locomotion.

   an animal that is locomotive at birth.

locomotive British  

/ ˌləʊkəˈməʊtɪv /

noun

1. 1. Also called: locomotive engine.  a self-propelled engine driven by steam, electricity, or diesel power and used for drawing trains along railway tracks

   2. ( as modifier )

      a locomotive shed

      a locomotive works

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adjective

1. of or relating to locomotion

2. moving or able to move, as by self-propulsion

Other Word Forms

• locomotively adverb
• locomotiveness noun
• locomotivity noun
• unlocomotive adjective

Etymology

Origin of locomotive

1605–15; < Latin locō, ablative of locus place + motive (adj.); compare Medieval Latin in locō movērī to change position

Example Sentences

As one locomotive screeches into the old El-Raml Station, commuters and visitors crane their necks out of giant windows at the historic neo-Venetian buildings overhead.

From Barron's

Once they lowered engines, boilers or heavy cargoes like steam locomotives into the belllies of ships.

From BBC

The so-called debasement trade as well as a drive for hard assets in a period of rising inflation and its safe-haven allure have been the chief locomotives of the breathtaking rally in silver.

From MarketWatch

"A new season is beginning: Italy has a leading role, it wants to be one of the locomotives of the EU," he said.

From Barron's

The report emphasizes that central banks will be the primary locomotive for the expected appreciation, contributing 14 out of the 17 percentage points increase.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• engine