motive power

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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.

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Origin of motive power

First recorded in 1615–25

Words nearby motive power

motivational, motivational research, motivation research, motivator, motive, motive power, motivic, motivity, mot juste, Motlanthe, motley

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use motive power in a sentence

From this attitude he draws a singular comic and literary power.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And the fact that satire unnerves the intolerant is evidence of its positive power.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Would the Democrats rescind those rights if they were to return to power?
The Black Man Who Replaced Jefferson Davis in the Senate|Philip Dray|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Employees strap a device to their heads and power a helicopter drone with their minds.
Use Your Brain—Control a Drone|The Daily Beast Video|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

What it endangers is a narrow conception of Russian power, understood through the eyes of its dictatorial leader.
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup|James Kirchick|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
The voice of the orator peculiarly should be free from studied effects, and responsive to motive.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Not suspecting her motive, he represented the hazard of putting so great an affront on the favourite of the Empress.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Wharton smiled at this littleness in so great a man, but determined that he should feel the power he despised.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He brings out all their power, brilliancy and careering wildness, and makes the greatest sensation of them.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

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

Origin of motive power

Words nearby motive power

Words related to motive power

How to use motive power in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for motive power