- of locomotion
- moving or capable of moving from one place to another; not stationary
- designating or of engines that move under their own power: locomotive design
Origin of locomotive; from loco- + Late Latin motivus, moving
an engine that can move about by its own power; esp., an electric, steam, or diesel engine on wheels, designed to push or pull a railroad train
- A self-propelled vehicle, usually electric or diesel-powered, for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks.
- A driving or pulling force; an impetus: “The US could no longer serve as the locomotive for the world economy” (George Soros).
- a. Of, relating to, or involved in locomotion.b. Serving to put into motion or propel forward: “It may be that the founding fathers overestimated the locomotive force of the collective and mutual self-interest” (Ian Davidson).
- Able to move independently from place to place.
- Of or relating to a self-propelled locomotive.
- Of or relating to travel.
Origin of locomotiveLatin locō, from a place, ablative of locus, place + Medieval Latin mōtīvus, causing motion; see motive.
(comparative more locomotive, superlative most locomotive)