chariot

[char-ee-uht]

noun

1. a light, two-wheeled vehicle for one person, usually drawn by two horses and driven from a standing position, used in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, etc., in warfare, racing, hunting, etc.

2. a light, four-wheeled pleasure carriage.

3. any stately carriage.

4. Facetious.,  an automobile.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey in a chariot.

verb (used without object)

1. to ride in or drive a chariot.

chariot

/ ˈtʃærɪət /

noun

1. a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle used in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, etc, in war, races, and processions

2. a light four-wheeled horse-drawn ceremonial carriage

3. poetic,  any stately vehicle

Other Word Forms

• chariotlike adjective
• unchariot verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of chariot¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French, Old French, equivalent to char car ¹ + -iot diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of chariot¹

C14: from Old French, augmentative of char _car

Example Sentences

These included high-speed chariot races, armed gladiators who fought to the death, and the feeding of unlucky people to hungry lions.

Read more on Literature

In a vast, dimly lit main hall spanning four levels, visitors gazed at chariots, household items, jewelled ornaments and, at the centre, Tutankhamun's iconic golden mask.

Read more on Barron's

Iron Age experts now have evidence that people 2,000 years ago had four wheel wagons as well as two wheel chariots.

Read more on BBC

Thrace’s tribes were wealthy and sophisticated, cited in “The Iliad” as allies of the Trojans who arrived in gilded chariots.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Another group had its leaders on chariots escorted to their campsite in a large procession with music bands, dancers, horses and camels.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• automobile 
• bicycle 
• boat 
• bus 
• cab 
• car 
• jeep 
• taxi 
• truck 
• van 
• wagon