dray

American  

[drey] / dreɪ /

noun

1. a low, strong cart without fixed sides, for carrying heavy loads.

2. a sledge or sled.

3. any vehicle, as a truck, used to haul goods, especially one used to carry heavy loads.

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verb (used with object)

1. to convey on a dray.

verb (used without object)

1. to drive or operate a dray, especially as an occupation.

2. to convey goods by dray, especially locally or for short distances.

dray ¹ British  

/ dreɪ /

noun

1. 1. a low cart without fixed sides, used for carrying heavy loads

   2. ( in combination )

      a drayman

2. any other vehicle or sledge used to carry a heavy load

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dray ² British  

/ dreɪ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of drey

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Etymology

Origin of dray

1325–75; Middle English draye sledge; compare Old English draeg- (in drægnet dragnet), akin to dragan to draw

Example Sentences

As dozens of ships sat at anchor miles off the coast, awaiting their chance to unload, dray operators like Mr. Jackson idled for hours on land before they could enter port gates.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2022

Part of that effort is the Port of Seattle’s ongoing installation of shore power, having charging infrastructure for dray trucks and working to accommodate sustainable aviation fuels at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 3, 2021

Government authorities had refused to supply him with provisions or a bullock dray, so he was forced to stay with the very squatters whose conduct he was supposed to examine.

From The Guardian • Mar. 22, 2019

It’s as if, instead of the Kentucky Derby, viewers were urged to enjoy the spectacle of thoroughbreds harnessed as dray horses.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 27, 2017

He ’elped me to lift the boxes and put them in the dray.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker