locomotion

IPA/ˌləʊkəˈməʊʃn/
KK[lˌokəmˈoʃən]IPA/ˌləʊkəˈməʊʃn/

locomotion — noun

1. the ability or process of moving your body from one place to another — used espe

1.nounB2
Definition

the ability or process of moving your body from one place to another — used especially in scientific or technical contexts about how people, animals, or machines move

Example

Penguins have a surprising form of locomotion called tobogganing, where they slide on their bellies across the ice.

form of locomotion

Amara uses a lightweight wheelchair as her main means of locomotion around the university campus.

means of locomotion

Common collocations
  • method of locomotion
  • means of locomotion
  • form of locomotion
  • mode of locomotion
  • human locomotion
  • animal locomotion
  • bipedal locomotion
  • locomotion system
Synonyms
  • movement

    Everyday equivalent; broader and less technical than locomotion

  • motion

    Emphasises the physical process of changing position rather than the ability to travel between places

  • mobility

    Focuses on the capability or freedom to move, often used for people with physical challenges

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[form/means/method] of locomotion

used for locomotion

Usage Note

Locomotion is primarily used in formal, scientific, or technical writing. In everyday conversation, movement or getting around are much more common. Subject is often an animal species, a machine, or a biological system rather than a specific person.

Common Mistakes

I need locomotion to get to work.
I need a way to get to work.
'locomotion' sounds unnatural in everyday speech about commuting; use 'transport' or 'a way to get around' instead.
The dog's locomotion was very fast.
The dog moved very fast.
In simple descriptions of pets, 'movement' or just the verb 'move' is more natural than the formal noun 'locomotion'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Movement is the broadest and most common of these words. It can refer to any change of position, from a finger twitch to a planet's orbit. Motion is more technical and often describes the physical or mechanical process of changing position — physics textbooks talk about 'laws of motion', not 'laws of movement'. Mobility focuses on the capacity or freedom to move, especially when that capacity is limited or restored: a person using a wheelchair has reduced mobility but still has movement. Locomotion is the most specific: it always means moving your whole body from one place to another, not just a part of the body. A bird flaps its wings (movement), the air around them is in motion, a bird with an injured wing has reduced mobility, and the bird's primary form of locomotion is flying.

movement ↗motion ↗mobility ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • animal locomotion
  • human locomotion
  • bipedal locomotion
  • terrestrial locomotion
  • aquatic locomotion

Phrases

  • method of locomotion
  • means of locomotion
  • form of locomotion
  • capable of locomotion
  • mode of locomotion

Prepositions

  • mode/form/means/type of locomotion
  • used for locomotion

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Locomotion was formed in English in the mid-1600s by combining the Latin word locus meaning 'a place' with the Latin word motio meaning 'movement'. The original sense was simply 'movement from place to place'. It was first used in scientific writing about how animals move, and remains most common in formal and technical contexts today.

First known use

1646

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1