French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
moteur
Pronunciation
IPA/motœʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounengine
Example
Le moteur ne démarre pas.
The engine won't start.
More examples
Le moteur démarre dès qu'on tourne la clé.
The engine starts as soon as you turn the key.
Core concept
A compact power source drives a machine's parts and can also push a project or system forward.
Common phrases
démarrer le moteur
start the engine
arrêter le moteur
stop the engine
le moteur de recherche
search engine
Similar words
machine: Equipment that performs work using power or human effort.
appareil: A tool or device built to carry out a particular function.
Definition in French
Partie ou mécanisme qui produit la force motrice d'un appareil ; par extension, force qui fait avancer un système ou un projet.
Word origin
French moteur comes from Old French moteur, from Latin motor, 'mover', an agent noun related to movere, 'to move'.
Usage tips
- Moteur is masculine, so the standard forms are le moteur and un moteur, including in figurative phrases such as le moteur du changement.
Other meanings
- motornoun
- driving forcenoun
Related words
- motorisermotorizeverb
- motorisationmotorizationnoun
- motorisémotorizedadjective