motorman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Vocational, Formal
Quick answer
What does “motorman” mean?
A person who operates or drives an electrically powered vehicle, especially a train, tram, or subway train.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who operates or drives an electrically powered vehicle, especially a train, tram, or subway train.
Historically, also used to refer to a man who operates or repairs motors in a factory or industrial setting, a 'motor mechanic'. In modern use, the primary sense is related to rail transport.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'motorman' is the standard term for the driver/operator of a subway, metro, or streetcar/tram. In British English, 'train driver' or 'engine driver' is more common for mainline trains, but 'motorman' is still used for some underground/metro systems (e.g., London Underground).
Connotations
Slightly dated, evokes the era of manually operated electric trains. Carries a vocational, skilled-trade connotation.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE due to its standard use in public transport terminology. In BrE, it's a specific technical term within certain rail networks, not general public vocabulary.
Grammar
How to Use “motorman” in a Sentence
The motorman [verbs: operated, drove, controlled] the train.A motorman [is/was/will be] responsible for [noun: safety, schedule, operation].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “motorman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in public transport company job titles and union discussions.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical or transportation studies texts.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation except when discussing specific transport jobs.
Technical
Standard term in rail transport operations, rulebooks, and signalling procedures.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “motorman”
- Using 'motorman' to refer to the driver of a car or lorry. (Incorrect)
- Spelling as 'motor man' (two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is historically male-gendered. Modern and gender-neutral alternatives are 'train operator', 'train driver', or 'operator'.
A motorman operates/drives the train. A conductor is responsible for tickets, passenger safety, and door operations, and often communicates with the motorman.
No, it is specific to rail-based, electrically powered vehicles. A bus driver is simply a 'driver'.
It remains the official job title in many US transit agencies, but in general language, more generic terms like 'operator' are increasingly common.
A person who operates or drives an electrically powered vehicle, especially a train, tram, or subway train.
Motorman is usually technical, vocational, formal in register.
Motorman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊtəmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊt̬ɚmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'motorman']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAN operating the MOTOR of a train. Motor + Man = Motorman.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MOTORMAN IS A CONDUCTOR OF POWER: He channels and controls the electrical energy that moves the train.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'motorman' most accurately used?