LOCOMOTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does locomotive mean? 

• LOCOMOTIVE (noun)
  The noun LOCOMOTIVE has 1 sense:

1. a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

  Familiarity information: LOCOMOTIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• LOCOMOTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective LOCOMOTIVE has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to locomotion

  Familiarity information: LOCOMOTIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LOCOMOTIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

engine; locomotive; locomotive engine; railway locomotive

Hypernyms ("locomotive" is a kind of...):

self-propelled vehicle (a wheeled vehicle that carries in itself a means of propulsion)

Meronyms (parts of "locomotive"):

buffer; cowcatcher; fender; pilot (an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track)

footplate (the platform in the cab of a locomotive on which the engineer stands to operate the controls)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "locomotive"):

choo-choo (a child's word for locomotive)

diesel locomotive (a locomotive driven by a diesel engine)

dinkey; dinky (a small locomotive)

electric locomotive (a locomotive that is powered by an electric motor)

iron horse ((c. 1840) an early term for a locomotive)

pilot engine (a locomotive that precedes a train to check the track)

shunter (a small locomotive used to move cars around but not to make trips)

steam locomotive (a locomotive powered by a steam engine)

donkey engine; switch engine (a locomotive for switching rolling stock in a railroad yard)

tank engine; tank locomotive (a locomotive that carries its own fuel and water; no tender is needed)

traction engine (steam-powered locomotive for drawing heavy loads along surfaces other than tracks)

Holonyms ("locomotive" is a member of...):

railroad train; train (public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive)

• LOCOMOTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to locomotion

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

locomotive; locomotor

Pertainym:

locomotion (self-propelled movement)

Derivation:

locomote (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

locomotion (self-propelled movement)

locomotion (the power or ability to move)

 Context examples 

For two days and nights this express car was dragged along at the tail of shrieking locomotives; and for two days and nights Buck neither ate nor drank.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

The hoarse shriek of a locomotive whistling a crossing told him where he was.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)