motive power

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It said it had received 95 complaints alleging that the oil pump may fail, resulting in a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion.

From Reuters

I provide the motive power, a.k.a. the push.

From Washington Post

The stationary earth cannot be the source of that motive power, so the innermost sphere must be moved by the next sphere out.

From Literature

“A clever man will never underestimate the motive power of dust and bones,” O’Connor contends.

From New York Times

"The ship will simply be hoisted up and will ride safely and firmly…the current will be our motive power, while our ship, no longer a means of transport, will become a barrack."

From BBC