locomotives
locomotives — noun
- locomotivessingular
- locomotivesesplural
1. the powered vehicle at the front of a train that pulls the carriages or wagons b
the powered vehicle at the front of a train that pulls the carriages or wagons behind it
The locomotive at the front of the train slowed down as it neared the platform.
Aisha could hear the locomotive rumbling ahead as she sat in the first carriage.
A second locomotive was added to push the heavy freight train up the mountain.
The locomotive broke down in the mountain pass, leaving the whole train stranded on the tracks for hours.
Eri watched the locomotive being coupled to the long row of passenger carriages.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (RAIL VEHICLE): this sense focuses on the locomotive's role as the pulling part of a train, while sense 2 describes it as a self-contained machine.
常見錯誤
2. a self-propelled rail vehicle, classified as steam, diesel, or electric, that ru
a self-propelled rail vehicle, classified as steam, diesel, or electric, that runs on railway tracks
A huge black locomotive pulled the long line of cars up the steep hill.
collocation: steam locomotive / diesel locomotive / electric locomotive
Diesel locomotives took over from steam engines on most railway lines after the war.
João climbed into the locomotive cab and checked the brake pressure before pulling out of the freight yard.
An electric locomotive pulled twenty coal wagons through the Swiss mountains without leaving a trail of smoke.
Children stood by the tracks and waved as the big locomotive thundered past.
- engine
broader — can refer to any machine that turns energy into motion, not only rail vehicles
- train engine
more specific to railway use; interchangeable with locomotive in everyday speech
文法句型
steam/diesel/electric + locomotive
3. a person, organization, or sector that acts as the main driver of activity or gr
a person, organization, or sector that acts as the main driver of activity or growth in a wider system, especially an economy
After the 2008 crash, small businesses in the Midlands became the locomotive of job creation.
metaphorical use: the locomotive of [something]
Minister Chen pointed to the new port as the locomotive of the province's economic revival.
Ms. Okafor was the locomotive of the team, pushing everyone to meet the tight deadline.
At the summit, Rachid argued that manufacturing had been the locomotive of his country's growth for decades.
- driving force
more common, less vivid — does not carry the image of pulling a heavy load
- engine
similar figurative use, e.g. 'engine of growth'; slightly more everyday than 'locomotive'
- powerhouse
emphasises energy and productivity rather than pulling or leading
文法句型
the locomotive of [growth/the economy/progress]
用法筆記
Always figurative. Most often appears in the pattern 'the locomotive of [something]' to name what is being driven forward — growth, the economy, progress, etc.
常見錯誤
locomotives — adjective
- locomotivespositive
- more locomotivescomparative
- most locomotivessuperlative
1. relating to a living creature's ability to move itself from one place to another
relating to a living creature's ability to move itself from one place to another
Dr. Nakamura studied the locomotive behaviour of several different species of lizards.
formal/technical register: locomotive behaviour
After the motorcycle crash, Mr. Kowalski's locomotive functions were severely limited for nearly a year.
Dr. Patel's study measured the locomotive skills of children with cerebral palsy before and after therapy.
The Arctic tern's highly developed locomotive system allows it to migrate from pole to pole each year.
- motor
more common in everyday and medical contexts, e.g. 'motor skills' vs the rarer 'locomotive skills'
- locomotory
rare, technical synonym — virtually interchangeable but even less common
文法句型
locomotive + [skills/functions/abilities/organs]
用法筆記
Formal and technical. Most commonly used in biological and medical writing to describe an organism's ability to move. In everyday contexts, use 'movement' or 'motor' instead (e.g. 'motor skills' rather than 'locomotive skills').