motorize

American  

[moh-tuh-rahyz] / ˈmoʊ təˌraɪz /

especially British, motorise

verb (used with object)

motorized, motorizing

1. to furnish with a motor, as a vehicle.

2. to supply with motor-driven vehicles, usually in the place of horses and horse-drawn vehicles.

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motorize British  

/ ˈməʊtəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to equip with a motor

2. to provide (military units) with motor vehicles

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Other Word Forms

• motorization noun
• nonmotorized adjective
• unmotorized adjective

Etymology

Origin of motorize

First recorded in 1910–15; motor + -ize

Explanation

To motorize is to give something a motor so that it will move or work better (or faster). If you motorize your bicycle, it'll make riding up hills a lot easier. Some wheelchairs are propelled by turning the wheels by hand. If you motorize a wheelchair, it helps someone with little arm strength get around. This verb is also used, especially in military contexts, to mean "equip with vehicles," so a commander might decide to motorize an urban unit during a conflict, setting it up with motorized tanks to patrol more safely.

Example Sentences

Sensory technology could help motorize the prosthesis, allowing for improved gait when running and other improvements.

From Washington Times • May 11, 2016

Skateboards retain some residual punk cool even after you motorize them.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2015

The biggest trouble was that the Soviets were in a headlong rush to motorize; they insisted that the plant be in operation within three years from the day that ground was broken in January 1967.

From Time Magazine Archive

It devolves upon the United States to help to motorize the world.

From Time Magazine Archive

Though Washington spoke of Red orders for U.S. heavy industry, the supersalesmen actually in Moscow last week all seemed to offer equipment to motorize the Red Army against Japan.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• industrialize