caravan

American  

[kar-uh-van] / ˈkær əˌvæn /

noun

1. a group of travelers, as merchants or pilgrims, journeying together for safety in passing through deserts, hostile territory, etc.

   Synonyms:

   band, cavalcade, train, procession, parade

2. any group traveling in or as if in a caravan and using a specific mode of transportation, as pack animals or motor vehicles.

   a caravan of trucks; a camel caravan.

3. a large covered vehicle for conveying passengers, goods, a sideshow, etc.; van.

4. Chiefly British. a house on wheels; trailer.

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verb (used with object)

caravaned, caravanned, caravaning, caravanning

1. to carry in or as if in a caravan.

   Trucks caravaned food and medical supplies to the flood's survivors.

verb (used without object)

caravaned, caravanned, caravaning, caravanning

1. to travel in or as if in a caravan.

   They caravaned through Egypt.

caravan British  

/ ˈkærəˌvæn /

noun

1. 1. US and Canadian name: trailer.  a large enclosed vehicle capable of being pulled by a car or lorry and equipped to be lived in

   2. ( as modifier )

      a caravan site

2. (esp in some parts of Asia and Africa) a company of traders or other travellers journeying together, often with a train of camels, through the desert

3. a group of wagons, pack mules, camels, etc, esp travelling in single file

4. a large covered vehicle, esp a gaily coloured one used by Romany Gypsies, circuses, etc

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verb

1. (intr) to travel or have a holiday in a caravan

Other Word Forms

• caravanist noun
• caravanning noun

Etymology

Origin of caravan

1590–1600; earlier carovan < Italian carovana < Persian kārwān

Example Sentences

And yet, a few Red Hot bangers manage to endlessly caravan in and out of lives because they’re in constant rotation on Jack FM and other adult contemporary radio stations: “Give It Away.”

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Something tells me there’s going to be a caravan from Boyle Heights headed to Sacramento to provide support.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

A dozen military and National Guard vehicles took the lead alongside two police motorcycles to escort the caravan to the cemetery, where it arrived just before noon.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Lisa has not been seen since she attended a house party at a caravan park in the County Down village of Ballyhalbert, at the end of February 2005.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

“That’s ridiculous,” I said, but my complaint was drowned out by the growing protests of the caravan.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

• cavalcade
• convoy
• expedition
• procession