locomotion

noun

lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce locomotion (audio)
1
: an act or the power of moving from place to place
2
: travel
interest in free locomotion and choice of occupationZechariah Chafee Jr.

Examples of locomotion in a Sentence

Walking is one form of locomotion.
Recent Examples on the Web Xia and colleagues theorized that the lack of tails in apes likely improved their locomotion. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 This method of locomotion resembles the arm-swinging style that tree-loving primates use to cruise around the forest canopy, which is known as brachiation. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024 Disney hopes that their Judy Hopps robot will soon be able to use the help of a robotic tricycle, crate, or skateboard to enable new forms of locomotion. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024 This work presents a comprehensive study on using deep reinforcement learning (RL) to create dynamic locomotion controllers for bipedal robots. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2024 Ryan Marek, an evolutionary biologist at University College London not involved with the research, was struck to see this particular behavior, a whole phase of parrot locomotion supported by the head and neck alone. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024 How Did Humans Evolve to Walk? To see how locomotion evolved and how the inner ear changed over time, researchers took Lufengpithecus skulls found in China in the 1980s and created 3D CT scans of the inner ear. Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024 Samsung The whole left and right sides would spin for locomotion, while the center camera portion was kept steady. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2024 But nothing quite like this hanging locomotion has been noted before in birds. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'locomotion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin locus + English motion

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of locomotion was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near locomotion

Cite this Entry

“Locomotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locomotion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

locomotion

noun
lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce locomotion (audio)
: the act or power of moving from place to place

Medical Definition

locomotion

noun
lo·​co·​mo·​tion ˌlō-kə-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce locomotion (audio)
: an act or the power of moving from place to place : progressive movement (as of an animal body)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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