locomotive

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​co·​mo·​tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv 

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

Adjective

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, 2 Jan. 2025

Santa Train Jolly Journeys on the Napa Valley Wine Train in Napa, California Known for its wine-tasting locomotive excursions in Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Wine Train during the holiday season hosts the Santa Train Jolly Journeys, much to the delight of kids — and kids at heart. —Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

The popular train has been at the zoo since 1958, and its original steam locomotives, No. 1916 and No. 1924, were named after then-Milwaukee Journal executives Harry Grant and Irwin Maier (because The Milwaukee Journal donated the locomotives to the zoo). —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024

The minute-long footage starts by showing train locomotives on fire and then segues into a satellite image of an airport, as well as images of a plane on the tarmac which has flames billowing out of the undercarriage. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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