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 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 third character was named Henry, an engine who hated the rain and was actually inspired by a real American locomotive that had gone wrong and was left in a tunnel.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

They’re colorful playthings, at least until the background scenery starts depicting various locomotive styles.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026

It was the longest one he had ever seen, with almost two hundred freight cars and a locomotive at either end and a third one in the middle.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Obstacles to adopting battery locomotives to date include the availability of power and how long it takes to charge them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

But Langer said she believes diesel engines will eventually be replaced, in much the same way diesel-electric locomotives replaced steam engines last century.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

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 ● Feb. 13, 2026

"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 ● Feb. 11, 2026

Once used for locomotives that no longer operate, the wires still carry 25,000 volts to prevent vandalism.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

Related Words

• engine