noun
- a reason for doing something
adjective
- causing or having the power to cause motion
Usage: technical
Examples
- The detective tried to determine the suspect’s motive for the crime.
- Her motive for studying abroad was to learn about different cultures.
- What was your motive for changing jobs?
- The police couldn’t establish a clear motive for the robbery.
- Steam provides the motive power for the old locomotive.
- The motive force behind the machine is electricity.