prime mover
noun
1
a
: an initial source of motive power (such as a windmill, waterwheel, turbine, or internal combustion engine) designed to receive and modify force and motion as supplied by some natural source and apply them to drive machinery
b
: a powerful tractor or truck usually with all-wheel drive
2
: the self-moved being that is the source of all motion
3
: the original or most effective force in an undertaking or work
education is … a prime mover of cultural and societal change
R. C. Buck
R. C. Buck
Example Sentences
She was the prime mover behind the town's annual summer festival.
Recent Examples on the Web Industry reintroduces the innocence lost narrative as the prime mover of the story. Adario Strange, Quartz, 8 Aug. 2022 Pet lover, dog mom and prime mover of the MuttNation Foundation, a nonprofit that helps rescue animals and shelters. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 28 July 2022 The world’s well-heeled are fond of jaunts to the capital, too, which leaves them liable to the UHNWI equivalent of process serving, according to Christopher Bogart, CEO of Burford Capital, another prime mover in the asset recovery sector. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2022 Poor, who’s been a prime mover for Secret Stages since its inception, pointed to other factors, too. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 16 Mar. 2022 Finally, Trump empowered Rudy Giuliani, his former attorney and New York City mayor, to be a prime mover on this area of policy. Julian Zelizer, CNN, 4 Mar. 2022 The Tribune noted that crime is the prime mover of this growing trend in their piece, also fueled by the financial and emotional stress of the coronavirus. Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 8 Mar. 2022 Energy is the most critical element of life and the prime mover of all things. Eric Kaufmann, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2022 Its prime mover was a Republican state representative from suburban Bucks County, Todd Polinchock. NBC News, 13 Jan. 2022 See More
Adario Strange, Quartz, 8 Aug. 2022 Pet lover, dog mom and prime mover of the MuttNation Foundation, a nonprofit that helps rescue animals and shelters. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 28 July 2022 The world’s well-heeled are fond of jaunts to the capital, too, which leaves them liable to the UHNWI equivalent of process serving, according to Christopher Bogart, CEO of Burford Capital, another prime mover in the asset recovery sector. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2022 Poor, who’s been a prime mover for Secret Stages since its inception, pointed to other factors, too. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 16 Mar. 2022 Finally, Trump empowered Rudy Giuliani, his former attorney and New York City mayor, to be a prime mover on this area of policy. Julian Zelizer, CNN, 4 Mar. 2022 The Tribune noted that crime is the prime mover of this growing trend in their piece, also fueled by the financial and emotional stress of the coronavirus. Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 8 Mar. 2022 Energy is the most critical element of life and the prime mover of all things. Eric Kaufmann, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2022 Its prime mover was a Republican state representative from suburban Bucks County, Todd Polinchock. NBC News, 13 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
(sense 2) translation of Medieval Latin prīmum mōbile, prīmus mōtus, prīmus mōtor or other variants
Note: See also etymology at primum mobile.
First Known Use
1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
prime mover
noun
ˈprīm-ˈmü-vər 
: agonist sense 1