From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmotormo‧tor1 /ˈməʊtə $ ˈmoʊtər/ ●●○ S3 W3 noun [countable] 1 TPthe part of a machine that makes it work or move, by changing power, especially electrical power, into movement an electric motor ► Motor is not generally used to refer to the part of a vehicle which produces the power for it to move. Use engine: My car needs a new engine.2 British English old-fashioned or informalTTC a car That’s a nice motor you’ve got, Dave. → outboard motor
Examples from the Corpus
motor• The ceiling fan is powered by an electric motor.• The supply also had to power some huge electric motors, and some of these were constantly switching in and out.• The fan's motor made a funny popping sound.• The heavier the motors, the bigger the batteries needed to power it.• I got out of the car but left the motor running.• The circuit only sends the motor an impulse when the sensor's output is different from the required setting.• Lord Beverley helped me up into the passenger seat and began the long business of starting the motor.• Just then, the motor failed and the boat began drifting out of control.motormotor2 adjective [only before noun] 1 especially British EnglishTTC relating to cars or other vehicles with engines the motor industry a motor accident motor insurance2 TPhaving an engine a motor scooter3 technicalHB relating to nerves that make muscles move impaired motor functionExamples from the Corpus
motor• The disease results in impaired motor function.• Coming out of the motor home, she is staggering.• McLaren started the trend a few years ago by bringing along a motor home which, when parked, then expanded skywards.• A sound like a brief, deep blast from a motor horn was the only response.• But isn't it time insurance companies started to treat home insurers the same way as motor insurers?• motor oil• Some economists feel deep disquiet at the use of food grains to produce motor spirit.• For several decades the number of deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents per 100,000 population has increased.• a motor vehicle• Later, I learned that not one of these men owned a motor vehicle.motormotor3 verb [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] British English old-fashionedTTC to travel by car Bertie is motoring down from London.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
motor• True, motoring has a few drawbacks.• With epic nonchalance I motored north.• I motored out to deeper water.• We then motored rather quickly across to the bay and got the rods into action.• Then the breakers were all astern and Terrie was coming round to starboard to motor up the back of the reef.Origin motor1 (1400-1500) Latin motus, past participle of movere; → MOVE1 