French Conversation · Level 22
90 words
French word
locomotive
Pronunciation
IPA/lokomotiv/
Meaning
- feminine nounlocomotive
Example
Nous avons vu la locomotive sur le pont.
We saw the locomotive on the bridge.
More examples
Les enfants admirent la locomotive à vapeur au musée.
The children admire the steam locomotive at the museum.
Core concept
A heavy engine moving on rails while hauling passenger coaches or freight cars.
Common phrases
une locomotive à vapeur
steam locomotive
une locomotive électrique
electric locomotive
la locomotive du train
the train's locomotive
Similar words
train: A series of connected railway cars used for passenger or freight transport.
Definition in French
Véhicule ferroviaire motorisé qui entraîne et tire les wagons ou les voitures d'un train.
Word origin
The modern railway sense of locomotive developed from a learned formation based on Latin locus and movere, then spread into French during the nineteenth century.
Usage tips
- French uses train for the complete rail formation, while locomotive refers specifically to its powered engine.