automobile

1 of 3

noun (1)

au·​to·​mo·​bile ˌȯ-tə-mō-ˈbēl How to pronounce automobile (audio)
ˈȯ-tə-mō-ˌbēl, 
ˌȯ-tə-ˈmō-ˌbēl How to pronounce automobile (audio)
Synonyms of automobilenext
: a usually four-wheeled automotive vehicle designed for passenger transportation
automobile intransitive verb
automobilist
ˌȯ-tə-mō-ˈbē-list How to pronounce automobile (audio) ˌȯ-tə-ˈmō-ˌbē-list How to pronounce automobile (audio)
noun

automobile

2 of 3

adjective

: automotive

automobilist

3 of 3

noun (2)

au·​to·​mo·​bil·​ist ¦ȯ-tə-mō-¦bē-list How to pronounce automobilist (audio)
ˌȯ-tə-ˈmō-ˌbē-list
plural -s
: one who uses an automobile : motorist

Synonyms of automobile

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Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of automobile in a Sentence

Noun (1) He drives an expensive automobile. browsed online for used automobiles for sale
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Plastic parts for automobiles and surgical instruments cannot simply be sourced elsewhere on short notice. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 But these unprotected vehicles can run at automobile speeds, posing a risk of injury that’s greater than for those pedaling nonpowered, slower two-wheelers. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Adjective
America should learn from their pro-cycling, anti-automobile ways, not drag them down to our level! — Jessica Goldstein, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2021 Pre-19th-century houses tend to be built right up against busy main roads (for ease of access in pre-automobile times). — Jenny Xie, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for automobile

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

derivative of automobile entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from French, "self-propelled," from auto- auto- + mobile mobile entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1881, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of automobile was in 1876

Rhymes for automobile

See All Rhymes for automobile

Browse Nearby Words

automimicry
automobile
automobile insurance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Automobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automobile. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

automobile

1 of 2 adjective
au·​to·​mo·​bile ˈȯt-ə-mō-ˌbēl How to pronounce automobile (audio) ˌȯt-ə-mō-ˈbē(ə)l How to pronounce automobile (audio)
ˌȯt-ə-ˈmō-ˌbēl
: of or relating to automobiles

automobile

2 of 2 noun
: a usually four-wheeled vehicle with its own power system (as an internal combustion engine) designed for passenger transportation
automobile verb
automobilist
-mō-ˈbē-ləst How to pronounce automobile (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on automobile

Nglish: Translation of automobile for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about automobile

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