motor

[ moh-ter ]

noun

1. a comparatively small and powerful engine, especially an internal-combustion engine in an automobile, motorboat, or the like.
2. any self-powered vehicle.
3. a person or thing that imparts motion, especially a contrivance, as a steam engine, that receives and modifies energy from some natural source in order to utilize it in driving machinery.
4. Also called electric motor. Electricity. a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, as an induction motor.
5. motors, stocks or bonds in automobile companies.

adjective

1. pertaining to or operated by a motor.
2. of, for, by, or pertaining to motor vehicles:

   motor freight.

3. designed or for automobiles, their drivers, or their passengers:

   The hotel has a motor lobby in its parking garage for picking up and discharging passengers.

4. causing or producing motion.
5. Physiology. conveying an impulse that results or tends to result in motion, as a nerve.
6. Psychology, Physiology. Also of, relating to, or involving muscular movement:

   a motor response; motor images.

verb (used without object)

1. to ride or travel in an automobile; drive:

   They motored up the coast.

verb (used with object)

1. Chiefly British. to drive or transport by car:

   He motored his son to school.

motor

/ ˈməʊtə /

noun

1. 1. the engine, esp an internal-combustion engine, of a vehicle
   2. ( as modifier )

      a motor scooter

2. Also calledelectric motor a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy by means of the forces exerted on a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field
3. any device that converts another form of energy into mechanical energy to produce motion
4. an indispensable part or player that moves a process or system along
5. 1. a car or other motor vehicle
   2. as modifier

      motor spares

adjective

1. producing or causing motion
2. physiol
   1. of or relating to nerves or neurons that carry impulses that cause muscles to contract
   2. of or relating to movement or to muscles that induce movement

verb

1. intr to travel by car
2. tr to transport by car
3. informal.
   intr to move fast; make good progress
4. tr to motivate

motor

/ mō′tər /

Noun

1. A machine that uses energy, such as electric or chemical energy (as from burning a fuel), to produce mechanical motion.
2. See also engine

Adjective

1. Involving the muscles or the nerves that are connected to them.
2. Compare sensory

Other Words From

• multi·motor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of motor¹

1580–90; < Latin mōtor mover, equivalent to mō- (variant stem of movēre to move ) + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of motor¹

C16: from Latin mōtor a mover, from movēre to move

Example Sentences

Penske was on the board of the short-lived Ontario Motor Speedway in the 1970s, then built the California Speedway on the site of the Kaiser Steel mill in 1994.

From Los Angeles Times

The Finance and Leasing Association, the trade body for motor finance providers, described the FCA's plan as a "sensible move".

From BBC

Nik has motor neurone disease, and says he probably would have chosen assisted dying three years ago if it had been legal.

From BBC

A California Department of Motor Vehicles report said during a May 13 test, a Waymo on the eastbound 10 Freeway near the Bundy Drive overpass was involved in a moderate crash.

From Los Angeles Times

However, Nik Ward, who lives in Surrey and has motor neurone disease, is against changing the law.

From BBC

Related Words

• cylinder
• generator
• transformer
• turbine