pram

¹ American  

[pram] / præm /

noun

Chiefly British Informal.

1. perambulator.

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pram ² American  

[prahm] / prɑm /

noun

1. a flat-bottomed, snub-nosed boat used as a fishing vessel or tender for larger vessels.

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pram ¹ British  

/ præm /

noun

1. US and Canadian term: baby carriage.  a cot-like four-wheeled carriage for a baby

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pram ² British  

/ prɑːm /

noun

1. nautical a light tender with a flat bottom and a bow formed from the ends of the side and bottom planks meeting in a small raised transom

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Etymology

Origin of pram¹

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Origin of pram²

First recorded in 1540–50 ( late 14th century in Anglo-Latin ); from Dutch praam, Middle Dutch prame, praem (compare Middle Low German pram(e), Old Frisian pram, German Prahm ), from Slavic; compare Czech prám, Polish prom, Russian paróm, Serbo-Croatian prȁm “ferryboat, raft,” cognate with Old High German farm “boat, raft,” Old Norse farmr “freight, cargo”; akin to fare, ferry

Explanation

A pram is a stroller or baby carriage, a device with wheels that can be easily pushed. Some fussy babies are soothed by a long stroll in a pram. The typical pram has four wheels and a handle. The baby or toddler can sit or lie down in the pram while being wheeled along the street. While pram is a British term — it's more likely to be called a stroller in the US — most parents, babysitters, and nannies will know what you mean if you use the word. Pram is short for perambulator, "one who walks or perambulates," which gained the meaning "baby carriage" in the 1850s.

Example Sentences

During February, Kristy and Doberman Raven are attempting to walk 100 miles to raise money for life-saving research, accompanied by Chester in his pram.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

After giving birth, Rebecca was in less pain, but she still struggled with basic things like walking, lifting her son or pushing a pram.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

The my brother pushed me out of the pram and I broke my leg, and while it was in plaster they said I always wanted a football.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

An eight-month-old baby and two toddlers, aged 14 months and 18 months, are in a serious condition in hospital after their pram was hit by a trailer in Dumfries.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2025

We put Alphie in the pram and pile around him the pot, the pan, the kettle, the jamjars and mugs, the Pope, two bolsters and the coats from the beds.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt