Phrase guide

motive power

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The power that enables something to move.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, sometimes, uncountable, usually

Examples

  • Using electricity as motive power for railroads will do away with fuel trains, tenders, coal handling, water, and all that.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The locomotives or other powered units that operate on a railway.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: collective, uncountable, usually

Topics: rail-transport, railways, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the power or ability to move

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: locomotion, motivity

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: mobility

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 動力 /动力 (dònglì) — power that enables something to move
  • Chinese Mandarin: 原動力 /原动力 (yuándònglì) — power that enables something to move
  • Finnish: käyttövoima — power that enables something to move
  • French: force motrice — power that enables something to move
  • Italian: forza motrice — power that enables something to move
  • Polish: siła napędowa — power that enables something to move
  • Spanish: fuerza motriz — power that enables something to move