Standard Lemma guide

motorize

verb · 6 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Canada, General-American: /ˈmoʊtɚaɪz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: M OW1 T ER0 AY2 Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To fit something with a motor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Most canoe aficionados would argue that motorizing a canoe removes the pleasurable aspects of traveling in one.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To supply something or someone with motor vehicles.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Once Jack decided to motorize his paper delivery route, he found he could reach far more subscribers.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To supply armoured vehicles; to mechanize.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The refit plan recommended that the first battalion be motorized to upgrade their offensive capabilities.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

equip with armed and armored motor vehicles

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • mechanize armies

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mechanize, mechanise, motorise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: equip, fit, fit out, outfit

5

verb

Meaning 5

equip with a motor

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • motorized scooters are now the rage

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: equip, fit, fit out, outfit

6

verb

Meaning 6

equip with a motor vehicle

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The police around here are not motorized and patrol the streets on horseback

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: equip, fit, fit out, outfit

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh1- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Indo-European *m(y)owh1éyetider. Proto-Italic *moweō Latin moveō Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin mōtorder. Middle English motour English motor Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English motorize From motor + -ize.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: motoritzar — to fit something with a motor
  • Finnish: moottoroida — to fit something with a motor
  • Catalan: motoritzar — to supply with motor vehicles
  • Finnish: moottoroida — to supply with motor vehicles
  • Finnish: autoistaa — to supply with motor vehicles
  • Catalan: motoritzar — military: to mechanize
  • Finnish: moottoroida — military: to mechanize
  • Finnish: mekanisoida — military: to mechanize