tram

¹ American  

[tram] / træm /

noun

1. British. a streetcar.

2. a tramway; tramroad.

3. Also called tramcar.  a truck or car on rails for carrying loads in a mine.

4. the vehicle or cage of an overhead carrier.

---

verb (used with or without object)

trammed, tramming

1. to convey or travel by tram.

tram ² American  

[tram] / træm /

noun

1. trammel.

---

verb (used with object)

trammed, tramming

1. Machinery. to adjust (something) correctly.

tram ³ American  

[tram] / træm /

noun

1. silk that has been slightly or loosely twisted, used weftwise in weaving silk fabrics.

---

tram ¹ British  

/ træm /

noun

1. Also called: tramcar.  US and Canadian names: streetcar.   trolley car.  an electrically driven public transport vehicle that runs on rails let into the surface of the road, power usually being taken from an overhead wire

2. a small vehicle on rails for carrying loads in a mine; tub

---

tram ² British  

/ træm /

noun

1. machinery a fine adjustment that ensures correct function or alignment

---

verb

1. (tr) to adjust (a mechanism) to a fine degree of accuracy

tram ³ British  

/ træm /

noun

1. (in weaving) a weft yarn of two or more twisted strands of silk

---

Other Word Forms

• tramless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tram¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; Middle English tram, tram(me) “mechanical device, astronomical instrument, siege tower”); 1820–30 tram ¹ for def. 2; originally shafts of a barrow or cart, rails for carts (in mines); perhaps from Middle Dutch trame “beam”

Origin of tram²

First recorded in 1880–85; short for trammel

Origin of tram³

First recorded in 1670–80; from French trame “woof, weft, tram,” from Latin trāma “warp,” from trahere “to draw, drag”

Explanation

A tram is a trolley or a streetcar—it's a vehicle that transports people using electricity from overhead cables while running on tracks that are set into the street. In the U.S., you might also call a tram a cable car or light rail. If you've been on a streetcar in San Francisco or a trolley in Philadelphia, you've ridden a tram. The word tram was originally a Scottish term for the wagons that are used in coal mines, stemming from a Middle Flemish word meaning "rung or handle of a barrow."

Example Sentences

The confession comes three days after park officials sought help from the public about the damaged tower that was part of the Saline Valley Salt Tram, a 13-mile aerial tramway built in 1911.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2024

Additionally, this year’s Terror Tram experience, “The Exterminatorz,” features a scenario wherein the insectoid tour guide escorts the human riders toward a twisted finale to the delight of its fellow insectoids.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2023

Tram operator NET has confirmed it will unveil a tram in honour of the West Bridgford-born footballer, who was awarded the tournament's Golden Glove.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2023

"Starbucks coffee is nothing special to me, it's too fancy and I don't like the taste," Tram Nguyen says.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2023

Tram stop to tram stop, we sat at separate ends of the car, not talking.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros