locomotion
gb/lˌoʊkəmˈoʊʃən/ us/lˌoʊkəmˈoʊʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
C1
process
1
movement from place to place
the way something moves from one place to another
Usage pattern:
locomotion (of [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Do not confuse locomotion with locomotive (a train engine) or location (place).
Synonyms
movement (More general and much more common in everyday speech.)
|
motion (Often used in physics or general descriptions of moving.)
Antonyms
immobility (The state of not being able to move.)
|
stillness (A lack of movement, especially temporary.)
Collocations
human locomotion
|animal locomotion
|efficient locomotion
|bipedal locomotion
|quadrupedal locomotion
|aquatic locomotion
|terrestrial locomotion
|locomotion patterns
|locomotion control
|study of locomotion
Themes
movement
|science
|health
Examples
- Researchers measured locomotion to see how the injury affected the athlete’s gait.
- Different animals have evolved different forms of locomotion, such as swimming, flying, and walking.
- The robot’s locomotion was stable on flat ground but struggled on stairs.
Learner examples
- Walking is a type of locomotion.
- The doctor checked his locomotion after the surgery.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
ability to move around
a person’s ability to move, especially to walk
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s locomotion
Common mistake:
In everyday contexts, “mobility” is usually more natural than “locomotion.”
Synonyms
mobility (The most common word for ability to move, especially in daily life and healthcare.)
|
ambulation (More clinical term specifically for walking.)
Antonyms
paralysis (Loss of the ability to move muscles, often affecting walking.)
Collocations
impaired locomotion
|loss of locomotion
|independent locomotion
|restore locomotion
|assist with locomotion
|aids for locomotion
|problems with locomotion
Themes
health
|disability
|daily_life
Examples
- After physical therapy, her locomotion improved and she could walk without crutches.
- The medication reduced pain and made locomotion easier.
- Assistive devices can help people maintain safe locomotion.
Learner examples
- His locomotion got better every week.
Grammar
Dictionary form
locomotion
IPA
GB/lˌoʊkəmˈoʊʃən/
US/lˌoʊkəmˈoʊʃən/
Syllables & stress
lo - co - motion (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (motion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: locomotion
- Plural: locomotion, locomotions
Word family
Forms
locomotions
noun
Core family
locomotive
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
motionless
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
locomote
verb
locomotor
adjective
Expressions
means of locomotion
1/mˈinz əv lˌoʊkəmˈoʊʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
a way to travel
a way to move or travel, like a bike or car
Examples
- In the city, bicycles are a cheap means of locomotion.
- For many rural workers, a motorbike is the main means of locomotion.
- Before cars were common, horses were an important means of locomotion.
mode of locomotion
1/mˈoʊd əv lˌoʊkəmˈoʊʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
a particular way of moving
a specific way of moving, like walking or swimming
Examples
- Walking is the most common mode of locomotion for humans.
- Birds use flight as their main mode of locomotion.
- Engineers tested which mode of locomotion worked best on sand.