Word
MOT
Phoneticsmot
UK/mˈɒt/
Definitions
01vehicle safety test
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
03a witty remark
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
04personal health check
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
05microwave component
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
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/mot