bumper car

American  

noun

1. (in an amusement park) a small, carlike electric vehicle with an encircling rubber bumper that one maneuvers around an enclosed arena while purposely bumping other vehicles.

---

bumper car British  

noun

1. Also called: Dodgem.  a low-powered electrically propelled vehicle driven and bumped against similar cars in a special rink at a funfair

---

Etymology

Origin of bumper car

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Vences also plays soccer, so those skills certainly can help in the video game when trying to hit a soccer ball into the net with a bumper car.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2025

You remember that vacation experience — salt-air beachside walks and kite-flying, fresh-made fudge, mom ‘n’ pop shops, bumper car slams and slow sunsets caught from the sand.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2022

In an interview in early July, Mr. Tolia had the somewhat rattled demeanor of a man who had been on a bumper car ride for three days.

From New York Times • Aug. 5, 2021

The former amusement park’s bumper car pavilion has taken on new life as the setting for weekly outdoor dances.

From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2021

It was like driving a bumper car without a steering wheel.

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate