noun
automobile
AW-tuh-muh-beel/ˈɔːtəməbiːl/
A passenger road vehicle powered by an engine or motor.
The automobile stands on the road ready to carry passengers.
Etymology
The pieces express “self-moving”: the vehicle carries its own means of propulsion. What began as a description of such a vehicle became the noun naming the vehicle itself.
In context
transitioning from horse and buggy to automobile
More examples
- She bought a used automobile for commuting.
- The museum displays early automobiles.
- An electric automobile stopped beside the curb.
Forms
automobile · automobiles
automotive adjective — relating to motor vehicles