locomotive

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to travel
3
: of, relating to, or being a machine that moves about by operation of its own mechanism

locomotive

2 of 2

noun

1
: a self-propelled vehicle that runs on rails and is used for moving railroad cars
2
: a school or college cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed

Examples of locomotive in a Sentence

Adjective the locomotive ability of spiders
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The first company to locate at Neighborhood 91 was locomotive manufacturer Wabtec, which uses the space to house its innovative aluminum 3D printing for locomotive braking systems. Carolyn Schwaar, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Now a global phenomenon, Primal Moves was started in Ibiza by Nick Brewer, a former prisoner who uses the movements of yoga, pilates and full-body locomotive patterns to form this bendy cult workout. Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2024 Sure, Ye is rapping in fuller, more locomotive sentences again, but everything that manages to jump out of the mix does so on whiffed shock value. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 In the 1800s, the locomotive steam engine unleashed widespread fears and health concerns, including that the human mind was not designed to cope with moving at such high speeds, potentially leading to mental health problems, including insanity. Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024 Putting public safety at risk In his 25 years as a locomotive engineer, Eddie Hall saw his trains grow longer and longer. Andrea Salcedo, Luz Lazo and Lee Powell, Anchorage Daily News, 26 May 2023 Then the whistle from what sounds like a steam locomotive blows, and everyone in the restaurant looks up to see a train carting a box of food to someone’s table. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024 With Kay Kay Menon as the proper station master throwing protocol out the window, and Babil Khan as a trainee locomotive driver. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023 Then, when Voelker gave information to Wooten’s attorney about the unrepaired loose handle on the locomotive, he, too, was fired. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 16 Dec. 2023
Noun
The freight train wreck occurred along the Lehigh River in Lower Saucon Township, just east of Allentown, causing multiple container cars to leave the tracks and two locomotives to roll over onto the river’s embankment. Artemis Moshtaghian, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Over the next five years, on the strength of a $71.4 million federal grant, passengers will be riding new equipment acquired by Tri-Rail, which plans to add new passenger cars and new locomotives to upgrade its aging fleet. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 Kromer would lean out the window of a moving locomotive to inspect parts of the train, or glance down the track, and as a result, kept losing his favorite baseball hats. Detroit Free Press, 20 Jan. 2024 The tunnel was used by steam locomotives and produced plenty of foul air. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2024 Inspired by the sleek locomotives and automobiles of the 1920s, the collection offers a more avant-garde (and slightly less Genta-esque) take on the luxury sports watch category while retaining an integrated bracelet, a non-round case shape, etc. Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023 Stroll around the 7-acre lake, have a picnic on the grass, play tennis or volleyball, or check out the old steam locomotive parked out front. Katie Toussaint, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 We were being pulled by a half-century-old diesel-electric locomotive, whose red-and-green livery paid tribute to the Italian flag. Taras Grescoe, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2024 The connection was considered necessary at first for the fact that Caltrain was perceived as a transit option with limited service in the early 2000s — but has since bolstered its service and is planning on bringing electrified locomotives by the fall of this year. Gabriel Greschler, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'locomotive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of locomotive was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near locomotive

Cite this Entry

“Locomotive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotive. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

locomotive

1 of 2 adjective
lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
1
: of or relating to locomotion
2
: of, relating to, or being a locomotive

locomotive

2 of 2 noun
: an engine that moves under its own power
especially : one that hauls cars on a railroad

Medical Definition

locomotive

adjective
lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
: locomotor sense 1
locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs

More from Merriam-Webster on locomotive

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