English Reference

Word

MOT

Phoneticsmot

UK/mˈɒt/

Definitions

01vehicle safety test

B2

n. Stands for Ministry of Transport. An annual test required in the UK to make sure a car is safe to drive.

n. Abbreviation for Ministry of Transport. A mandatory annual inspection of vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions required in the United Kingdom for most vehicles over three years old.

“My car failed its MOT because the brakes were too worn.”

“The mechanic advised that the vehicle would likely fail its upcoming MOT unless the suspension issues were addressed immediately.”

British English

Usage

Usually used with 'pass', 'fail', or 'take'.

Synonyms

inspectionsafety check

03a witty remark

C2

n. A clever or funny comment.

n. A pithy or witty remark; often used in the French loan-phrase 'bon mot'.

“The speaker ended his presentation with a clever mot that made everyone laugh.”

“The playwright was famous for his sharp tongue and his ability to deliver a devastating mot at exactly the right moment.”

Literary · Formal

Usage

Often appears in the full French form 'bon mot'.

Synonyms

witticismquipjest

04personal health check

C1 · Medicine

n. A general health check-up for a person, similar to a car inspection.

n. A comprehensive physical examination or health check-up, used metaphorically by analogy with the vehicle test.

“Now that I'm over fifty, I thought it was time to go to the doctor for a health MOT.”

“The private clinic offers a 'well-man MOT' that includes blood tests, heart monitoring, and nutritional advice.”

British English · Humorous · Informal

Synonyms

check-upphysical

05microwave component

C2 · Electronics

n. Stands for Microwave Oven Transformer. A part inside a microwave that handles high voltage.

n. Abbreviation for Microwave Oven Transformer. A high-voltage transformer found in microwave ovens, frequently repurposed by hobbyists for high-voltage experiments.

“The engineer warned that the MOT inside the microwave carries enough voltage to be lethal.”

“Hobbyists often salvage an MOT from discarded appliances to build homemade arc welders, despite the significant safety risks involved.”

Technical

Synonyms

Etymology

(roadworthiness test): From the initials of the Ministry of Transport, a former government department.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domains

BusinessElectronicsPhysics

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference