ATV

American  

1. all-terrain vehicle.

---

ATV British  

abbreviation

1. all-terrain vehicle: a vehicle with treads or wheels designed to travel on rough uneven ground

---

Usage

What is an ATV? ATV is an abbreviation for all-terrain vehicle, a vehicle with specialized treads and/or wheels that allows it to travel on off-road terrain. ATVs are designed to travel over rocks, snow, and other difficult terrain. In the U. S., the term typically refers to a vehicle that has four (or at least three) wheels, a straddle seat, and handlebars for steering. ATVs are typically designed for one person, though some can accommodate two riders. ATV is used as a noun, as in My cousin and I used to race ATVs in the hills near our neighbourhood. ATV is a common way to refer to such a vehicle—it’s more common to call it an ATV than to say all-terrain vehicle. The term quad is commonly used to refer to an ATV that has four wheels and is typically used for recreation. Example: You’d need an ATV to cross those rocky paths.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ATV

David Evans, who declined to be formally interviewed, told The Times while moving cattle in the seashore on his ATV that he hadn’t known anything about the settlement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

For example, an ATV and walk-behind tractor are now on the farm -- both far less energy-intensive than the typical tractor.

From Barron's ● Apr. 11, 2026

In 1985, when ATV came up for sale, he moved quickly, paying about $47.5 million for the catalog, including the Lennon-McCartney works and thousands more.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 20, 2026

He had worked at ATV, which later became Central, before moving to the BBC co-hosting national show Good Morning with Anne and Nick.

From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2025

Angelo and I rode up to the top of a grassy ridge on his four- wheel-drive ATV.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---