rickshaw
Americannoun
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a small, two-wheeled, cartlike passenger vehicle with a fold-down top, pulled by one person, formerly used widely in Japan and China.
noun
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Also called: jinrikisha. a small two-wheeled passenger vehicle drawn by one or two men, used in parts of Asia
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Also called: trishaw. a similar vehicle with three wheels, propelled by a man pedalling as on a tricycle
Etymology
Origin of rickshaw
First recorded in 1875–80; by contraction of jinrikisha ( def. )
Explanation
A rickshaw is a little taxi on two wheels. People sit in it and an energetic person pedals or pulls them to where they want to go. Rickshaws are still around, but cars have made them less popular. A rickshaw is a like a taxi — you pay its driver for a ride — but rickshaws are typically only large enough for one or two passengers. The earliest Japanese rickshaws were lifted and pulled by a person who walked or ran. Newer versions are pulled by a bike or driven like a car — these are sometimes called "auto rickshaws." The word itself comes from the Japanese jinrikisha, from jin, "man," riki, "power," and sha, "carriage."
Vocabulary lists containing rickshaw
I Am Malala
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This Week In Words: February 22–28, 2020
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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.
For about $20, you could enjoy a baked Idaho potato heaped with teriyaki beef at the taxidermy-adorned Pioneer Saloon; or green curry chicken and Taiwanese-style eggplant at Rickshaw.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025
Do you live for the limelight at Rickshaw, Hula Hula or Lottie’s Lounge?
From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2023
Fundraising events to have been broadcast already include Matt Baker's Rickshaw Relay, along with a team of five young people, all of whom have been supported by Children in Need-funded projects.
From BBC • Nov. 17, 2022
"I want the foreigners to return," said Yui Oikawa of Rise Up Tokyo Rickshaw.
From Reuters • May 30, 2022
The words “Hassan’s Rickshaw Repair Shop” were emblazoned on the back panel.
From "Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins
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.
