ATV

American  

1. all-terrain vehicle.

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ATV British  

abbreviation

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

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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

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

On the late-March phone call, the spouses brainstormed what they might sell, People reported, including some of their trailers, their ATV, a pressure washer and a wood splitter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The Stolz family had a pond in their backyard in Kewaskum, Wisc., and Dirk hooked a plow to his ATV to shove snow off of the frozen surface.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 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