lo·co·mo·tive
ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv 
1
2
: of or relating to travel
3
: of, relating to, or being a machine that moves about by operation of its own mechanism
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
Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Even in retirement, Hobson successfully lobbied for two Ohio regiment soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for their roles in a Civil War locomotive chase.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2024
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024
Its plan focuses on providing incentives to businesses purchasing battery-electric cargo trucks, delivery vehicles and switcher locomotives (trains that assemble and disassemble lines of rail cars).
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for locomotive 
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Adjective
The agents shared how to identify gang members – including spotting tattoos of locomotive trains or a five-point crown.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Even in retirement, Hobson successfully lobbied for two Ohio regiment soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for their roles in a Civil War locomotive chase.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
Get ready to live the good life on a locomotive in Italy next year.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024
Its plan focuses on providing incentives to businesses purchasing battery-electric cargo trucks, delivery vehicles and switcher locomotives (trains that assemble and disassemble lines of rail cars).
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for locomotive
Dictionary Entries Near locomotive
Cite this Entry
“Locomotive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotive. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
locomotive
1 of 2 adjective
lo·co·mo·tive
ˌlō-kə-ˈmōt-iv
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
: locomotor sense 1
locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs
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