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Pullman

1 American  
[pool-muhn] / ˈpʊl mən /
Trademark.
Pullmans plural
  1. a railroad sleeping car or parlor car.


noun

Pullmans plural
  1. Also called Pullman case(often lowercase) a large suitcase.

  2. George Mortimer, 1831–97, U.S. inventor and railroad car designer.

Pullman 2 American  
[pool-muhn] / ˈpʊl mən /

noun

  1. a city in SE Washington.


Pullman 1 British  
/ ˈpʊlmən /

noun

  1. Also called: Pullman car.  a luxurious railway coach, esp a sleeping car

"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

Pullman 2 British  
/ ˈpʃulmən /

noun

  1. Philip . born 1946, British author. Writing primarily for older children, he is best known for the fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials (1997–2000)

"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 Pullman

C19: named after George M. Pullman (1831–97), the US inventor who first manufactured such coaches

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.

Innovators and entrepreneurs such as Ford and George Pullman, discussed on visits to Detroit and Chicago, respectively, figure mainly as exploiters of the working class.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

To maintain a meritocracy, a business must hold on to key employees, says Pullman & Comley, a law firm based in Connecticut.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

The nominations will be announced by The Color Purple's Danielle Brooks, a former nominee herself, and Thunderbolts and Top Gun: Maverick star Lewis Pullman.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman will announce the nominees in all 24 categories, including the new casting award, in a livestream from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

But then, that very first day, Summer switched tables to go sit with Auggie Pullman.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

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