Jeep
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
noun
Etymology
Origin of Jeep
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; alteration of G.P. (for General Purpose) Vehicle, or special use of Eugene the Jeep, name of fabulous animal in comic strip “Popeye” by E. C. Segar
Explanation
A jeep is a rugged car made for driving in difficult conditions, like unpaved roads and across sand. Many military vehicles are jeeps. Jeeps were originally developed for use on Army bases — they're hardy little cars with four-wheel drive that can handle rough terrain. A jeep is sometimes called a "light utility vehicle." It's quicker and smaller than a truck or larger utility vehicle, and most jeeps are now owned by civilians. If the word is capitalized, it's the specific, trademarked brand of cars. Jeep was originally Army slang from the 1940s, a blending of G.P., or "general purpose vehicle."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stellantis, the parent of Jeep, Chrysler and other brands, last week told investors that it also is working on lower-priced offerings for the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Stellantis said it would invest 70% of its brand and product investment in four global brands that have the greatest scale and highest potential profitability: Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and FIAT.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
The company said it would focus in particular on four of its 14 brands -- Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat -- where it would concentrate 70 percent of its planned investments.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
Stellantis is partnering Dongfeng Group to produce electric vehicles under the Peugeot and Jeep brands in China.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
After the Jeep was packed, we stood barefoot in the driveway and said our good-byes.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
