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

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

At the same time, he turned the Joint Special Operations Command into a dray horse.

From New York Times • Sep. 25, 2017

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

Construction is also more expensive than building on the mainland, since materials must be transported to the island by ferry and then to the building site by horse and dray.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 25, 2016

He was riding one dray horse and leading the others.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin