lorry

American  

[lawr-ee, lor-ee] / ˈlɔr i, ˈlɒr i /

noun

plural

lorries

1. Chiefly British. a motor truck, especially a large one.

2. any of various conveyances running on rails, as for transporting material in a mine or factory.

3. a long, low, horse-drawn wagon without sides.

---

lorry British  

/ ˈlɒrɪ /

noun

1. US and Canadian name: truck.  a large motor vehicle designed to carry heavy loads, esp one with a flat platform See also articulated vehicle

2. informal a phrase used humorously to imply that something has been dishonestly acquired

   it fell off the back of a lorry

3. any of various vehicles with a flat load-carrying surface, esp one designed to run on rails

---

Etymology

Origin of lorry

First recorded in 1830–40; akin to dial. lurry to pull, drag, lug

Example Sentences

In one video, a migrant said: "Lorry route agreed with knowledge of the driver; here we have men, women and children - thank God the route was easy and good."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Lorry drivers are calling for more secure truck stops across the UK to stop organised crime gangs from stealing cargo.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2024

Skinner said the agency’s general counsel, Lorry Bonds, construed the contract’s language to mean that a board committee could authorize the bonus without the full board’s approval.

From Washington Post • Apr. 12, 2023

He teaches another about ’80s bands like Husker Du, Television and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, turning him almost instantly into a cool kid.

From Washington Post • Jul. 26, 2022

Oh-h! who’s doing it–answering?” breathed Pemrose Lorry, feeling thrown into the shade with her Thunder Bird; which wasn’t altogether bad for her, either.

From Pemrose Lorry, Camp Fire Girl by Hornibrook, Isabel Katherine

Related Words

• car
• crate
• freighter
• jeep
• pickup
• rig
• van
• wagon