locomotive

/ˌˈloʊkəˌmoʊdɪv/

/ləʊkəˈmʌʊtɪv/

Other forms: locomotives; locomotively

A locomotive is a train car that pulls the other cars along the track. It's most common to see a locomotive at the front or back of the train—and sometimes both.

On a freight train, every single car is loaded with cargo that's being transported—like grain, steel, coal, or lumber—except for the locomotive. Its only job is to power the entire train, either pulling it, or pushing it from the rear. As an adjective, locomotive means "relating to movement," like the locomotive power of a vehicle. This word comes from the Latin roots loco, "from a place," and motivus, "moving."

Definitions of locomotive

1. noun

   a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
   synonyms: engine, locomotive engine, railway locomotive

   types:

   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

   diesel-electric, diesel-electric locomotive

   a locomotive driven by the electric current generated by a diesel engine

   diesel-hydraulic, diesel-hydraulic locomotive

   a locomotive driven by a hydraulic transmission system powered by a diesel engine

   type of:

   self-propelled vehicle

   a wheeled vehicle that carries in itself a means of propulsion
2. adjective

   of or relating to locomotion
   synonyms: locomotor