Dictionary.com

char-à-banc

or char·a·banc

[ shar-uh-bang, -bangk; French sha-ra-bahn ]
/ ˈʃær əˌbæŋ, -ˌbæŋk; French ʃa raˈbɑ̃ /
Save This Word!
noun, plural char-à-bancs [-bangz, -bangks; French sha-ra-bahn]. /-ˌbæŋz, -ˌbæŋks; French ʃa raˈbɑ̃/. British.
a large bus used on sightseeing tours, especially one with open sides and no center aisle.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of char-à-banc

1810–20; back formation from French char-à-bancs literally, car with benches, the -s being taken as plural ending of word as a whole
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use char-à-banc in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for char-à-banc

charabanc
/ (ˈʃærəˌbæŋ, French ʃarabɑ̃) /
noun
British obsolete a motor coach, esp one used for sightseeing tours

Word Origin for charabanc

C19: from French char-à-bancs, wagon with seats
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK