locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən 

1

: an act or the power of moving from place to place

2

: travel

interest in free locomotion and choice of occupation

—Zechariah Chafee Jr.

Examples of locomotion in a Sentence

Walking is one form of locomotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

These were likely used for locomotion and for sifting through ocean sediment for smaller food items, much like many of today’s crustaceans. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

The team did look to living creatures for inspiration, studying dog and cat locomotion. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Dec. 2024

Studies on bird locomotion, for instance, have also revealed similarities with theropod dinosaurs. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Eventually this will turn into your baby figuring out how to coordinate their hands and feet toward forward locomotion—and boom! —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin locus + English motion

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən 

: the act or power of moving from place to place

Medical Definition

locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən 

: an act or the power of moving from place to place : progressive movement (as of an animal body)