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.
Chief Executive RJ Scaringe said the company is aiming to compete with not just other EV makers, but also traditional auto companies such as Jeep and Subaru.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Jeep maker Stellantis, which also makes Ram trucks and Chrysler minivans, is planning seven new cars “under the $40,000 range” and two new car models that will sell for less than $30,000 in coming years.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Jeep and Ram are said to be two of Stellantis’s “four key brands,” with the other two being its mainstream European makes, Peugeot and Fiat.
From The Wall Street Journal • 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
Dr. Begbie hit the gas too hard and the Jeep lurched forward.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
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.
