1. An agent that is the cause of all things but does not itself have a cause
   "God is the prime mover";
   - first cause, primum mobile
    
2. The initial source of energy or motive power in a system
   "The steam engine was the prime mover of the Industrial Revolution"
    
3. (philosophy) the ultimate cause or initiator of all things, often identified with God
   "Aristotle conceived of God as the prime mover of the universe"

Derived forms: prime movers

Type of: causal agency, causal agent, cause

Encyclopedia: Prime mover