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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grand theft of a motor vehicle is a third-degree felony in Florida, legal experts say. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025 Perillo was charged with risk of injury to a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia and operation of a motor vehicle with a child passenger while under the influence. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025 The Bridgeport teens were each charged with larceny of a motor vehicle (third offense), second-degree kidnapping and two counts of risk of injury to a minor. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025 Legislation that would dramatically increase the number of AVs on the road has been stalled in Congress for over seven years, with lawmakers at odds over a range of issues, including safety, liability, and the right number of exemptions from federal motor vehicle safety standards. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for motor vehicle 

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 2 Feb. 2025.

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!