locomotive: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “locomotive” mean?
A powered railway vehicle used for pulling trains.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A powered railway vehicle used for pulling trains.
Relating to or effecting movement or locomotion. Also used metaphorically to describe a driving force or leading element in a process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. 'Engine' is a more common synonym in everyday speech in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more technical/formal than 'train engine'. In both, evokes industrial era imagery.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American historical/railfan contexts, but overall frequency is similar.
Grammar
How to Use “locomotive” in a Sentence
The locomotive pulled/hauled the train.A locomotive powered by steam.The locomotive of change.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “locomotive” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/obsolete) Not used in modern English.
American English
- (Rare/obsolete) Not used in modern English.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- The locomotive power of the new engine was remarkable.
- Locomotive functions were studied in biology.
American English
- Locomotive engineers operate the train.
- The bill lacked locomotive force in Congress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The tech sector was the locomotive of economic growth.'
Academic
Technical term in engineering and transport history.
Everyday
Less common than 'engine'; used when specifying type or in rail contexts.
Technical
Precise term for the vehicle providing motive power, distinct from rolling stock.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “locomotive”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “locomotive”
- Using 'locomotive' to refer to the entire train (it's just the engine part).
- Misspelling as 'locomotion' (confusion with 'locomotion').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A locomotive is the engine that provides power. A 'train' is the whole assembly, including the locomotive and the carriages or wagons it pulls.
Yes, but it is formal/technical, meaning 'relating to or effecting movement' (e.g., locomotive power, locomotive organs).
Not very common in casual conversation. 'Train engine' or just 'engine' is more frequent. 'Locomotive' is used in specific contexts like railways, history, or as a metaphor.
'Loco' is a standard informal/technical abbreviation used mainly by railway enthusiasts and workers, derived from the first syllable of 'locomotive'.
A powered railway vehicle used for pulling trains.
Locomotive is usually formal/technical in register.
Locomotive: in British English it is pronounced /ˌləʊ.kəˈməʊ.tɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.ṭɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the little engine that could (US children's story)”
- “locomotive of history/industry/progress (metaphor)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LOCOmotive: Think 'LOCO' meaning 'place' in Spanish, but here it's about moving FROM place TO place. Or, 'LOCO' as in crazy – a powerful, fast machine.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER/DRIVE IS A LOCOMOTIVE (e.g., 'the locomotive force of an argument').
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, 'locomotive' typically refers to: