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Synonyms

Jeep

American  
[jeep] / dʒip /
Trademark.

  1. a small, rugged military motor vehicle having four-wheel drive and a ¼-ton capacity: widely used by the U.S. Army during and after World War II.

noun

  1. (lowercase) a similar vehicle used by civilians.

verb (used without object)

  1. (lowercase) to ride or travel in a jeep.

Jeep British  
/ dʒiːp /

noun

  1. a small military road vehicle with four-wheel drive

"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

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."

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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.

Some buyers who want an SUV recoil at the thought of owning a Jeep, but there isn’t a Chrysler SUV to offer them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Today, the Chrysler nameplate is often sandwiched in at Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

But FCA US, the US affiliate of Stellantis, reported a four percent increase to 305,902 from its line-up, which includes Jeep, Dodge and Alfa Romeo.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Stellantis, maker of Jeep, Ram and others, took a $26.5-billion hit after shifting away from EVs in February.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

She leans against the Jeep, and nudges me with her shoulder.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

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.