English Explanatory Dictionary

locomotive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.
  2. A traction engine.
  3. A cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed.
  4. Any of various early road vehicles, steam-powered, etc., forerunners of the modern car.
  5. A country which drives the world economy by having a high level of imports, such as the United States.
adj
  1. Of or relating to locomotion.
  2. Of or relating to the power unit of a train which does not carry passengers or freight itself.
  3. Moving, or capable of motion.

Pronunciation

/ˌləʊkəˈməʊtɪv/ /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/ en-us-locomotive.ogg

Word forms

locomotive locomotives more locomotive most locomotive

Etymology

From French locomotif, from Latin locō (literally “from a place”) (ablative of locus (“place”)) + Vulgar Latin mōtivus (“moving”) (see motive). In the rail transport sense, ellipsis of locomotive (steam) engine, attested from 1814.

Synonyms

loco engine railway engine railroad engine

Derived words

condensing locomotive crane locomotive diesel locomotive electric locomotive loci locie locomotive engineer locomotiveman locomotive shed locomotive syndrome Meyer locomotive road locomotive steam locomotive tank locomotive tram locomotive hyperlocomotive hypolocomotive locomotiveness nonlocomotive unlocomotive
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