locomotive

American  

[loh-kuh-moh-tiv] / ˌloʊ kəˈmoʊ tɪv /

noun

1. a self-propelled, vehicular engine, powered by steam, a diesel, or electricity, for pulling or, sometimes, pushing a train or individual railroad cars.

2. an organized group cheer, usually led by a cheerleader, as at a football or basketball game, that begins slowly and progressively increases in speed in such a way as to suggest a steam locomotive.

3. Archaic. any self-propelled vehicle.

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adjective

1. of or relating to locomotives.

2. of, relating to, or aiding in locomotion or movement from place to place.

   the locomotive powers of most animals.

3. moving or traveling by means of its own mechanism or powers.

4. serving to produce such movement; adapted for or used in locomotion.

   locomotive organs.

5. having the power of locomotion.

   an animal that is locomotive at birth.

locomotive British  

/ ˌləʊkəˈməʊtɪv /

noun

1. 1. Also called: locomotive engine.  a self-propelled engine driven by steam, electricity, or diesel power and used for drawing trains along railway tracks

   2. ( as modifier )

      a locomotive shed

      a locomotive works

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adjective

1. of or relating to locomotion

2. moving or able to move, as by self-propulsion

Other Word Forms

• locomotively adverb
• locomotiveness noun
• locomotivity noun
• unlocomotive adjective

Etymology

Origin of locomotive

1605–15; < Latin locō, ablative of locus place + motive (adj.); compare Medieval Latin in locō movērī to change position

Example Sentences

Train operator Iryo said the locomotive was built in 2022 and last inspected just three days before the accident.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Earnings are expected to be the chief locomotive for stock performance in 2026 with 8 out of 11 sectors forecast to grow faster next year than this, according to consensus.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

The long-standing model cast CENP-E as the locomotive pulling lagging chromosomes into place.

From Science Daily • Dec. 10, 2025

The tentative agreement covers 300 locomotive engineers on the Soo Line property operating trains in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

There were a vintage subway turnstile and an antique telephone, the shell of a Bluebird radio, even the nose fin of a locomotive.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Related Words

• engine