prime mover

American  

noun

1. Mechanics.

   1. the initial agent, as wind or electricity, that puts a machine in motion.

   2. a machine, as a water wheel or steam engine, that receives and modifies energy as supplied by some natural source.

2. means of towing a cannon, as an animal, truck, or tractor.

3. Also called unmoved mover.  Aristotelianism. that which is the first cause of all movement and does not itself move.

4. a person or thing that initiates or gives power and cohesion to something, as an idea, endeavor, or organization.

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prime mover ¹ British  

noun

1. the original or primary force behind an idea, enterprise, etc

2. 1. the source of power, such as fuel, wind, electricity, etc, for a machine

   2. the means of extracting power from such a source, such as a steam engine, electric motor, etc

3. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) that which is the cause of all movement

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Prime Mover ² British  

noun

1. philosophy God, esp when considered as a first cause

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prime mover Idioms  

1. The initial source of energy directed toward a goal, someone or something that sets others in motion. For example, Jean was the prime mover in getting us more laboratory space, or Patriotism was the prime mover of the revolution. [Late 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of prime mover

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

AI has now gone from a cool toy to a prime mover of both the economy and the stock market.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

Murdoch’s odds-on successor at the point is probably his son, Lachlan Murdoch, whom some reporters have credited with being the prime mover behind the Carlson decision, along with Suzanne Scott.

From Slate • May 1, 2023

Despite the claims of pioneering research, they could "only identify significant amounts of money passing to Paul Waugh as its prime mover".

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2023

It is something that Germany sees a prime mover that would have an immediate impact.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2022

But Laura smiled softly to herself, and turned the lazy Susan at the center of the table around and around as if it were the prime mover, the first gear of her attention.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• instigator
• motivator
• mover