motive power

SEE SYNONYMS FOR motive power ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any power used to impart motion; any source of mechanical energy.

Railroads. locomotives or other vehicles that supply tractive power.

Words nearby motive power

motivate, motivation, motivation research, motivational research, motive, motive power, motivic, motivity, motlanthe, motley, motmot

Origin of motive power

First recorded in 1615–25

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for motive power

At this he would have undoubtedly made money but for the enormous cost of gas needed as motive-power for the plant.
Behind the Beyond|Stephen Leacock
The male right arm, swinging like a pendulum, suggests itself as being the motive-power of the ungraceful mechanism.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction|Arabella Kenealy
He came to the aid of its directors in their problem of motive-power.
The Modern Railroad|Edward Hungerford
A committee of the tenants were the ostensible authority, the motive-power was the Squire.
The Hills and the Vale|Richard Jefferies

A book that every railroad man in the motive-power department ought to have.
Aviation Engines|Victor Wilfred Pag

British Dictionary definitions for motive power

motive power

noun

any source of energy used to produce motion

the means of supplying power to an engine, vehicle, etc

any driving force

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

motive power

noun

Content related to motive power

Words related to motive power

Words nearby motive power

Origin of motive power

Examples from the Web for motive power

British Dictionary definitions for motive power

noun