locomotive

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv How to pronounce locomotive (audio)
1
: locomotory
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that its forces had hit a locomotive depot. — Volodymyr Yurchuk, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Russia's Defense Ministry said that its forces had hit a locomotive depot. — CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
Many marveled at a curled and rusted piece of iron that could have been one of the locomotive's wheels. — Brian Bull, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026 Pleasure-seekers would travel by train to open prairies and plains to watch decommissioned locomotives crash into each other. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for locomotive

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

Rhymes for locomotive

See All Rhymes for locomotive

Browse Nearby Words

locomotion
locomotive
locomotive engineer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Locomotive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotive. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about locomotive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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