First Known Use: 1586
Dictionary
1motor
noun mo·tor \ˈmō-tər\
: a machine that produces motion or power for doing work
Full Definition of MOTOR
1
: one that imparts motion; specifically : prime mover
2
: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as a : a small compact engine b : internal combustion engine; especially : a gasoline engine c : a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy
See motor defined for English-language learners
See motor defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MOTOR
Latin, from movēre to move
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
2motor
adjective
: of, relating to, used in, or involving a vehicle that is powered by a motor (such as a car or motorcycle)
: having a motor
: of or relating to the part of the nervous system that controls the movement of muscles
Full Definition of MOTOR
1
a : causing or imparting motion b : of, relating to, or being a motor neuron or a nerve containing motor neurons <motor fiber> c : of, relating to, concerned with, or involving muscular movement <motor areas of the brain>
2
a : equipped with or driven by a motor b : of, relating to, or involving an automobile c : designed for motor vehicles or motorists
See motor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MOTOR
1824
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
3motor
verb
: to travel in a car
of a car, truck, etc. : to move in a specified manner or direction
Full Definition of MOTOR
intransitive verb
1
: to travel by automobile : drive
2
: to move or proceed at a vigorous steady pace <motored down the field for a touchdown>
transitive verb
: to transport by automobile
See motor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MOTOR
1896
Related to MOTOR
- Synonyms
- barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bomb [slang], bowl, breeze, bundle, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, career, chase, course, crack (on), dash, drive, fly, hare, hasten, hie, highball, hotfoot (it), hump, hurl, hurtle, hustle, jet, jump, hurry, nip, pelt, race, ram, rip, rocket, run, rush, rustle, scoot, scurry, scuttle, shoot, speed, step, tear, travel, trot, whirl, whisk, zip, zoom
MOTOR[1] Defined for Kids
1motor
noun mo·tor \ˈmō-tər\
Definition of MOTOR for Kids
: a machine that produces motion or power for doing work <an electric motor>
2motor
adjective
Definition of MOTOR for Kids
1
: of, relating to, or designed for use in an automobile <a motor trip> <motor oil>
2
: equipped with or driven by a motor
3
: causing or controlling movement <motor nerves>
3motor
verb
mo·toredmo·tor·ing
Definition of MOTOR for Kids
: 1drive 2
Medical Dictionary
motor
adjective mo·tor \ˈmōt-ər\
Medical Definition of MOTOR
1
: causing or imparting motion
2
: of, relating to, or being a motor neuron or a nerve containing motor neurons <motor fibers> <motor cells>
3
: of, relating to, concerned with, or involving muscular movement <motor areas of the brain>
Learn More About MOTOR
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: motorbikePrevious Word in the Dictionary: motoneuronAll Words Near: motor
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up motor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).