limousine

[lim-uh-zeen, lim-uh-zeen]

noun

1. any large, luxurious automobile, especially one driven by a chauffeur.

2. a large sedan or small bus, especially one for transporting passengers to and from an airport, between train stations, etc.

3. a former type of automobile having a permanently enclosed compartment for from three to five persons, with a roof projecting forward over the driver's seat in front.

limousine

/ ˈlɪməˌziːn, ˌlɪməˈziːn /

noun

1. any large and luxurious car, esp one that has a glass division between the driver and passengers

2. a former type of car in which the roof covering the rear seats projected over the driver's compartment

Word History and Origins

Origin of limousine¹

1900–05; < French: kind of motorcar, special use of limousine long cloak, so called because worn by the shepherds of Limousin

Word History and Origins

Origin of limousine¹

C20: from French, literally: cloak (originally one worn by shepherds in Limousin ), hence later applied to the car

Example Sentences

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan was struck by a bullet while walking to his limousine.

From BBC

"It's big enough for big limousines but you couldn't get a brigade of guards walking up and things. It's not like the Mall."

From BBC

The presidential motorcade - including two identical limousines nicknamed The Beast and other security and communications vehicles - was flown in on US Air Force transport aircraft.

From BBC

Chris Staples, a basketball social media star known for his out-there dunks, took Smith up for the challenge — winning the dunk competition with a leap and slam over the limousine.

From Los Angeles Times

Betty, Penelope and Cecil docked in Boston to much fanfare, before the trio was reportedly escorted via limousine to New York City, where Australia's ambassador was waiting to feed them the ceremonial first worm.

From BBC

Related Words

• auto 
• automobile 
• bus 
• convertible 
• jeep 
• machine 
• motor 
• pickup 
• ride 
• station wagon 
• truck 
• van 
• wagon