Jeep
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
noun
Etymology
Origin of Jeep
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; alteration of G.P. (for General Purpose) Vehicle, or special use of Eugene the Jeep, name of fabulous animal in comic strip “Popeye” by E. C. Segar
Explanation
A jeep is a rugged car made for driving in difficult conditions, like unpaved roads and across sand. Many military vehicles are jeeps. Jeeps were originally developed for use on Army bases — they're hardy little cars with four-wheel drive that can handle rough terrain. A jeep is sometimes called a "light utility vehicle." It's quicker and smaller than a truck or larger utility vehicle, and most jeeps are now owned by civilians. If the word is capitalized, it's the specific, trademarked brand of cars. Jeep was originally Army slang from the 1940s, a blending of G.P., or "general purpose vehicle."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chief Executive RJ Scaringe said the company is aiming to compete with not just other EV makers, but also traditional auto companies such as Jeep and Subaru.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
The recall covers roughly 1.08 million vehicles, including Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models manufactured between 2021 and 2025.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Earlier this year, it killed its U.S. plug-in hybrids, which had been offered on the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and the Jeep Wrangler SUV.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Stellantis said it would invest 70% of its brand and product investment in four global brands that have the greatest scale and highest potential profitability: Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and FIAT.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
They’d rigged the stage area with lights, the wires feeding into a generator mounted on a rusty Jeep.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
