motive power

American  

noun

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

2. Railroads.  locomotives or other vehicles that supply tractive power.

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motive power British  

noun

1. any source of energy used to produce motion

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

3. any driving force

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Etymology

Origin of motive power

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

It said it had received 95 complaints alleging that the oil pump may fail, resulting in a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion.

From Reuters

I provide the motive power, a.k.a. the push.

From Washington Post

“A clever man will never underestimate the motive power of dust and bones,” O’Connor contends.

From New York Times

"The ship will simply be hoisted up and will ride safely and firmly…the current will be our motive power, while our ship, no longer a means of transport, will become a barrack."

From BBC

The FIA rules for a Land Speed Record Car are that "the motive power and steering system… are constantly and entirely controlled by a driver on board the vehicle".

From BBC