autorickshaw

American  

[aw-toh-rik-shaw, ‐-rik-shah] / ˌɔ toʊˈrɪk ʃɔ, ‐ˈrɪk ʃɑ /

Or auto rickshaw

noun

1. (especially in South Asia) a motorized three-wheeled public conveyance, as a converted motorcycle, typically one having a two-passenger hooded cab mounted behind the driver.

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autorickshaw British  

/ ˈɔːtəʊˈrɪkʃɔː /

noun

1. (in India) a light three-wheeled vehicle driven by a motorcycle engine

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Etymology

Origin of autorickshaw

First recorded in 1955–60; auto- ² ( def. ) + rickshaw ( def. )

Example Sentences

Ramnaresh Yadav sold his autorickshaw two weeks ago before returning to his village near Bihar's Chhapra town.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Sarvjeet Singh, a 48-year-old autorickshaw driver, said the smog was hurting his eyes and he was finding it difficult to breathe.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2022

But the crisis is already overwhelming for average Sri Lankans, like autorickshaw driver Mohammed Rahuman, 64, who was recently standing in line for gasoline for more than 16 hours.

From Reuters • Jun. 20, 2022

Rickshaws also have a distinct appearance—a classic autorickshaw, for instance, is yellow and green—and Amazon’s rickshaws look, well, like pointier versions of the sleek gray Amazon vans.

From Slate • Jan. 24, 2020

Sympathetic villagers offered some drinking water and packets of snacks, while autorickshaw drivers ferried families to the sprawl of makeshift settlements that surround the Kutupalong camp.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2017