motive power

noun

1

: an agency (such as water or steam) used to impart motion especially to machinery

2

: something (such as a locomotive or a motor) that provides motive power to a system

Examples of motive power in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The e-bike ecosphere continues to evolve, and one popular feature as of late is doubling up on batteries to increase range, weight (sorta) be damned, as long as the motive power is there to compensate. —William Roberson, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

The company will further help buyers match motive power to their specific applications by tapping into a planned ecosystem of compatible powertrain components, including battery packs and control software. —New Atlas, 7 Jan. 2025

But some copies of his book survived, and in them lay the embers of a new science of thermodynamics — the motive power of fire. —Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

Ares and her team are probing the limits of thermodynamics on the smallest scales — the motive power of quantum fire, in a sense. —Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

In separate releases issued Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) was looking into complaints about a seat belt retractor, as well as ones about loss of motive power in recent model-year Ford Broncos and Ford Mavericks. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2024

Literally blurring the landscape is something each of this year’s cars does with gusto, an experience that, regardless of a vehicle’s motive power or number of doors, will never get old. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024

The left rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break, which could result in a loss of motive power and inability to hold the vehicle in park, the company said in a NHTSA report. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023

An overheated contactor that opens while driving may result in an immediate loss of motive power without re-engagement, increasing the risk of a crash. —Detroit Free Press, 21 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motive power

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower