Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense motors, present participle motoring, past tense, past participle motored
1. countable noun
The motor in a machine, vehicle, or boat is the part that uses electricity or fuel to produce movement, so that the machine, vehicle, or boat can work.
She got in and started the motor.
Synonyms: engine, machine, mechanism More Synonyms of motor
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Motor vehicles and boats have a petrol or diesel engine.
Theft of motor vehicles is up by 15.9%.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Motor is used to describe activities relating to vehicles such as cars and buses.
[mainly British]
...the future of the British motor industry.
He worked as a motor mechanic.
regional note: in AM, usually use automotive, automobile
4. countable noun
Some people refer to a car as a motor.
[British, informal]
5. verb
If you motor somewhere, you travel there in a car, usually for pleasure.
[old-fashioned]
I had motored down from Cheshire. [VERB adverb/preposition]
6. verb
If people in a small sailing boat motor somewhere, they use the boat's motor rather than the power of the wind to get there.
Restarting the engine, we motored downriver. [VERB adverb/preposition]
7. See also motoring, outboard
motor in British English
(ˈməʊtə)
noun
1.
a.
the engine, esp an internal-combustion engine, of a vehicle
b.
(as modifier)
a motor scooter
2. Also called: electric motor
a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy by means of the forces exerted on a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field
3.
any device that converts another form of energy into mechanical energy to producemotion
4.
an indispensable part or player that moves a process or system along
5.
a. mainly British
a car or other motor vehicle
b.
(as modifier)
motor spares
adjective
6.
producing or causing motion
7. physiology
a.
of or relating to nerves or neurons that carry impulses that cause muscles to contract
b.
of or relating to movement or to muscles that induce movement
verb
8. (intransitive)
to travel by car
9. (transitive) British
to transport by car
10. (intransitive) informal
to move fast; make good progress
11. (transitive)
to motivate
Word origin
C16: from Latin mōtor a mover, from movēre to move
motor in American English
(ˈmoʊtər)
noun
1.
anything that produces or imparts motion
2.
an engine; esp., an internal-combustion engine for propelling a vehicle
3.
motor vehicle
4. Electricity
a machine for converting electric energy into mechanical energy
adjective
5.
producing or imparting motion
6.
of, having to do with, or powered by a motor or motors
motor oil, motor parts, a motor bicycle
7.
of, by, or for motor vehicles
a motor trip
8.
for motorists
a motor inn
9.
designating or of a nerve carrying impulses from the central nervous system to a muscle that produces motion
10.
of, manifested by, or involving muscular movements
a motor reflex, motor skills
verb intransitive
11.
to ride in a motor vehicle; esp., to travel by automobile
12. Informal
to walk or otherwise proceed at a swift or steady pace
verb transitive
13. Chiefly British
to convey by automobile
Word origin
L, a mover < motus, pp. of movere, move
motor in Automotive Engineering
(moʊtər)
Word forms: (regular plural) motors
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Engine, transmission, and exhaust)
The motor in a vehicle is the part that uses electricity or fuel to produce movement, so thatthe vehicle can work.
She got into the car and started the motor.
Electric motors can be powerful and they deliver large amounts of low-speed pulling power.
Hybrid cars combine electric motors with small gasoline engines.
motor in Mechanical Engineering
(moʊtər)
Word forms: (regular plural) motors
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
A motor is a device that changes a form of energy into mechanical energy to produce motion.
Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
The generator may be driven by a motor connected to the electricity supply.
A motor is a device that changes a form of energy into mechanical energy to produce motion.
motor in Electrical Engineering
(moʊtər)
Word forms: (regular plural) motors
noun
(Electrical engineering: Electrical power, Motor or generator)
A motor is a rotating device that converts electrical power into mechanical power.
An electric motor supplies 5 kW of power when operating at an efficiency of 75 percent.
A single-phase motor consists of two stator windings, two capacitors, a centrifugal switch and a rotor.
A motor is a rotating device that converts electrical power into mechanical power.
motor generator set, electric motor, series motor, shunt motor
Examples of 'motor' in a sentence
motor
There was a huge outcry against the advance of ribbon roads when the motor car arrived.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The motor industry is placing huge bets on electric cars becoming mainstream over the next decade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
First came the motor car and then came motor racing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It failed to impress anyone and is now wedged behind a can of motor oil in the garage.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
First the rear left electric window motor stopped working, then the right.
The Sun (2016)
I do prefer them to be motoring along.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I return to the car and motor to the town.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When it comes to world pop domination, it's my way or the public motor vehicle transport artery.
The Sun (2016)
He denied fraud and conspiring to steal a motor vehicle at Southwark crown court and was bailed until February.
The Sun (2016)
He woke up to find he was being battered by towering waves in the Indian Ocean and the boat was motoring away from him into the night.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Snow or ice interrupts the current passed to the engine motors.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Kitchen devices with motors may be another source of indoor air pollution.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
See how the best and worst motors get on in our tables below.
The Sun (2012)
It makes no sense having a petrol motor.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The motor industry decamped to the suburbs.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Most people trust their lives to the work of motor mechanics on a daily basis.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Luxury motors and diesels bucked the downward trend.
The Sun (2011)
Not fast and agile motor torpedo boats.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Opponents say that recourse to the bankruptcy courts is more likely to produce a healthy motor industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The noise from the motors and the electrical devices is unbelievable.
Levenson, Thomas Ice Time: Climate, Science, and Life on Earth (1990)
Nobody has yet designed a rocket motor that can lift itself off the ground using laser power.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Motoring organisations demanded an investigation into the construction of fuel tanks used by heavy goods vehicles.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Growth is motoring along nicely and the inflation threat seems to be fading.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Those that make motor cars and other goods apply these approaches as a matter of course.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His friends follow in another gold motor.
The Sun (2016)
The technology is incredibly complex but basically the car is powered by a mix of diesel engine and electric motor.
The Sun (2008)
This helps to reduce unnecessary conflict with turning motor vehicles '.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
motor
British English: motor /ˈməʊtə/ NOUN
A motor in a machine, vehicle, or boat is the part that uses electricity or fuel to produce movement, so that the machine, vehicle, or boat can work.