locomotive

American  

[loh-kuh-moh-tiv] / ˌloʊ kəˈmoʊ tɪv /

noun

• locomotives
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• locomotives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of locomotive

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

Explanation

A locomotive is a train car that pulls the other cars along the track. It's most common to see a locomotive at the front or back of the train—and sometimes both. On a freight train, every single car is loaded with cargo that's being transported—like grain, steel, coal, or lumber—except for the locomotive. Its only job is to power the entire train, either pulling it, or pushing it from the rear. As an adjective, locomotive means "relating to movement," like the locomotive power of a vehicle. This word comes from the Latin roots loco, "from a place," and motivus, "moving."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

locomotive locomotives

A Russian drone had just hit a locomotive near the same border, and a special train carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European dignitaries, had passed through minutes before.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

We watched candle-dipping artisans at work with wide eyes, heard the screaming whistle of the authentic steam locomotive train, and perused each room of the Dolly Parton Experience museum with glee.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

A bombed-out locomotive from the Korean War remains near Woljeong-ri station as a reminder of the division.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

More than one analyst thinks it’s oversold and that a reversal is coming with buying from central banks the chief locomotive for any move upwards.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

“A red locomotive, moving fast along shiny new tracks. And it blows a trail of smoke behind it? Like a man running after the omnibus while clutching a lit cigar?”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Of the 521 locomotives hit since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, almost 60% have been this year, according to statistics released by the company.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Strathspey Railway has a fleet of steam and diesel locomotives which are run and maintained by a mix of volunteers and a small number of paid staff.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

U.S. railroads typically use diesel-electric locomotives, which are cheaper for shippers and more fuel-efficient than trucks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

In August alone, some 40 locomotives were attacked across Ukraine, Pertsovsky told AFP in a telephone interview.

From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026

The modern locomotives glide past the outer reaches of Mexico City.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

Related Words

• engine