motive power Hear it!

motive power definition

motive power

  1. any power, as steam, electricity, etc., used to impart motion; any source of mechanical energy
  2. an impelling force

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.