locomotive
1 of 2adjective
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 2noun
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
Example Sentences
Adjective the locomotive ability of spiders
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The train remained upright, but a locomotive and two cargo cars derailed, Union Pacific’s senior manager of communications, Mike Jaixen, told The Oregonian/OregonLive. oregonlive, 13 Aug. 2022 The gait of elephants may help reduce those stresses by laterally distributing the locomotive forces. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Aug. 2022 Another Scot, Robert Davidson of Aberdeen, built a prototype electric locomotive in 1837. Kevin A. Wilson, Car and Driver, 17 Aug. 2022 Carol and John Pharr of Lenox took the steam locomotive to the Nantahala Gorge for their 50th wedding anniversary. Phil Kloer, ajc, 16 Aug. 2022 Sushi Pro’s locomotive is a tiny white bullet train, covered in Japanese stickers (including one of a smiling piece of nigiri). Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 The epic sweep of the Yosemite wilderness, the High Sierra on horseback, a huffing locomotive pulling into a gold rush town. Sunset Magazine, 9 Aug. 2022 Nana, like the locomotive or the market in other novels, is an engine of multiplication. Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022 Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 The collision caused the train to completely derail, sending the locomotive and cars toppling onto their sides, according to the NTSB. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 June 2022 There is the engine which leads, provides energy and makes sure the locomotive is reaching its destination and completing its job. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 Traffic on neighboring roads slowed to a crawl as motorists craned their necks for a view of the locomotive. New York Times, 2 May 2022 There are boxcars, those who follow the leaders, who carry the load and create the economic success of the locomotive. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 The rumble of the locomotive was a welcome change from the sound of sirens back in Dnipro. Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2022 And whether foldables will go mainstream with Samsung as the locomotive. Chris Smith, BGR, 21 July 2022 Things get complicated when Ladybug realizes there's a bunch of other assassins on this locomotive, and some of them have ties to his past. Nick Romano, EW.com, 7 June 2022 See More
Adjective
Heading into the match, Sacramento, which plays in the lower division USL Championship League, was understandably portrayed as the little engine that could taking on a big, bad MLS locomotive. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The train remained upright, but a locomotive and two cargo cars derailed, Union Pacific’s senior manager of communications, Mike Jaixen, told The Oregonian/OregonLive. oregonlive, 13 Aug. 2022 The gait of elephants may help reduce those stresses by laterally distributing the locomotive forces. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Aug. 2022 Another Scot, Robert Davidson of Aberdeen, built a prototype electric locomotive in 1837. Kevin A. Wilson, Car and Driver, 17 Aug. 2022 Carol and John Pharr of Lenox took the steam locomotive to the Nantahala Gorge for their 50th wedding anniversary. Phil Kloer, ajc, 16 Aug. 2022 Sushi Pro’s locomotive is a tiny white bullet train, covered in Japanese stickers (including one of a smiling piece of nigiri). Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 The epic sweep of the Yosemite wilderness, the High Sierra on horseback, a huffing locomotive pulling into a gold rush town. Sunset Magazine, 9 Aug. 2022 Nana, like the locomotive or the market in other novels, is an engine of multiplication. Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2022 Noun
The musical locomotive – a gloriously grandiose combination of classical music, hair metal and holiday feels – has owned the road for more than two decades (virtually in 2020) and 2,000 shows. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 The collision caused the train to completely derail, sending the locomotive and cars toppling onto their sides, according to the NTSB. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 June 2022 There is the engine which leads, provides energy and makes sure the locomotive is reaching its destination and completing its job. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 Traffic on neighboring roads slowed to a crawl as motorists craned their necks for a view of the locomotive. New York Times, 2 May 2022 There are boxcars, those who follow the leaders, who carry the load and create the economic success of the locomotive. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 The rumble of the locomotive was a welcome change from the sound of sirens back in Dnipro. Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2022 And whether foldables will go mainstream with Samsung as the locomotive. Chris Smith, BGR, 21 July 2022 Things get complicated when Ladybug realizes there's a bunch of other assassins on this locomotive, and some of them have ties to his past. Nick Romano, EW.com, 7 June 2022 See More 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
noun
lo·co·mo·tive ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-tiv
: a vehicle that moves under its own power and is used to haul 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