What does motorised mean?
Motorised means equipped with a motor or propelled by mechanical power. It is commonly used for vehicles, tools, boats, and other equipment that would otherwise be moved or operated by hand or by a non-motor source of power. For example, a motorised boat is driven by an engine, while motorised tools use electricity or another power source to perform their work. The word is especially associated with British spelling, although it is also understood throughout the English-speaking world; American English normally uses “motorized.” In descriptions of transport, motorised transport can sound formal or descriptive, especially when contrasting it with walking, cycling, or animal-powered travel. The term focuses on the means of propulsion and should not automatically be understood to imply that the machine is automated or operated without human supervision.
adjectiveEquipped with or driven by a motor. In American English, the standard spelling is usually “motorized.”
- Equipped with a motor, especially a vehicle or piece of equipment.
- Powered or propelled by a motor rather than by manual effort or another source of power.
"The motorised boat crossed the lake while the occupants remained dry."
"The workshop has motorised tools for cutting and drilling."
"Tourists relied on motorised transport to reach the remote trailhead."
One small letter changes the journey: British drivers spell it with an s, while American drivers spell it with a z.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does motorised come from?
“Motorised” was formed in the 19th century from “motor” and the suffix “-ised,” with the same sense of “made or equipped by means of a motor” found in related formations. “Motor” comes through French from Latin motor, a form of the agent noun meaning “one who moves,” ultimately derived from movere, “to move.” Several related English words, including “motion,” “motive,” and “promotion,” descend from the same Latin verbal root.
Related word forms
How motorised is actually used
“Motorised” is standard in British English and is also used in some other varieties. In American English, “motorized” is much more common. The term often emphasizes the presence or use of mechanical power, but it does not necessarily mean that a device is fully automatic.
Easily confused with motorised
“Motorised” is the usual British spelling, whereas “motorized” is the usual American spelling; both have the same meaning.