locomotion

/ˈloʊkəˌmoʊʃən/

Other forms: locomotions

Locomotion refers to the ability to move. "The Loco-motion" is also a dance-song popularized by Grand Funk Railroad. Google it; you won't be sorry.

"Come on baby, do the loco-motion!" See the word motion in locomotion? That's a clue that this word has to do with movement. An animal is capable of locomotion if it can move on its own. For example, a dog's legs and a bird's wings give them locomotion. Our legs are our tools for locomotion too. Locomotion is also an instance of traveling. If you get on a train, that’s locomotion.

Definitions of locomotion

1. noun

   the power or ability to move
   synonyms: motive power, motivity

   type of:

   mobility

   the quality of moving freely
2. noun

   self-propelled movement
   synonyms: travel

   types:

   brachiation

   swinging by the arms from branch to branch

   walk, walking

   the act of traveling by foot

   step

   the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down

   gait

   a horse's manner of moving

   run, running

   the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace

   jog, lope, trot

   a slow pace of running

   crawl, crawling, creep, creeping

   a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

   circle, circuit, lap

   movement once around a course

   dance step, step

   a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance

   stroke

   any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing

   ambulation

   walking about

   noctambulation, noctambulism, sleepwalking, somnambulation, somnambulism

   walking by a person who is asleep

   pace, stride, tread

   a step in walking or running

   pas

   (ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

   trip

   a light or nimble tread

   sidestep

   a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)

   gait

   a person's manner of walking

   walk

   a slow gait of a horse in which two feet are always on the ground

   rack, single-foot

   a rapid gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately

   jog trot

   an easy gait of a horse; midway between a walk and a trot

   trot

   a gait faster than a walk; diagonally opposite legs strike the ground together

   canter, lope

   a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop

   gallop

   a fast gait of a horse; a two-beat stride during which all four legs are off the ground simultaneously

   footstep

   the act of taking a step in walking

   march, marching

   the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)

   plod, plodding

   the act of walking with a slow heavy gait

   prowl

   the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)

   shamble, shambling, shuffle, shuffling

   walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet

   moonwalk

   a kind of dance step in which the dancer seems to be sliding on the spot

   wading

   walking with your feet in shallow water

   dogtrot

   a steady trot like that of a dog

   dash, sprint

   a quick run

   pace lap

   the first lap of a car race that prepares the cars for a fast start

   lap of honour, victory lap

   a lap by the winning person or team run to celebrate the victory

   chasse, sashay

   (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading

   glissade

   (ballet) a gliding or sliding step in ballet

   swimming stroke

   a method of moving the arms and legs to push against the water and propel the swimmer forward

   type of:

   motion, move, movement

   the act of changing location from one place to another