motor vehicle

noun

: an automotive vehicle not operated on rails
especially : one with rubber tires for use on highways

Examples of motor vehicle in a Sentence

You can register your car at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. got a license to drive a motor vehicle the minute she turned 16
Recent Examples on the Web More than 78,000 visited the park in 2023, the first time the area was blocked to motor vehicles, organizers said. The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024 Louisville Metro Police responded to a call about a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 64 westbound and found that two tractor trailers had collided, LMPD spokesperson Aaron Ellis said. The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2024 Last summer, police in New York charged him with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation. Priscilla Thompson, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024 Weak shaking is defined as being felt quite noticeably by people indoors, especially on the upper floors of a building, and may rock standing motor vehicles slightly. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024 When using this product do not move around, drive a motor vehicle, or operate machinery. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024 According to the Texas Transportation Code, drivers with a G restriction are prohibited from using a wireless device while operating a motor vehicle, except in the case of an emergency. Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024 The Cybertruck does not ship with clear coat, that outermost layer of transparent paint that comes as standard on almost every new motor vehicle on the planet. Carlton Reid, WIRED, 16 Feb. 2024 The doctor, local police and department of motor vehicles all have a role, and each can steer you toward your next step. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motor vehicle was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near motor vehicle

Cite this Entry

“Motor vehicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motor%20vehicle. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

motor vehicle

noun
: a motorized vehicle (as an automobile or motorcycle) not operated on rails

More from Merriam-Webster on motor vehicle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!