sleeping car

American  

noun

1. a railroad car fitted with berths, compartments, bedrooms, or drawing rooms for passengers to sleep in.

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sleeping car British  

noun

1. a railway car fitted with compartments containing bunks for people to sleep in

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Etymology

Origin of sleeping car

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

“I have secured four double berths in the sleeping car of the ten-fifty train bound for Washington,” she whispered tensely.

From Literature

The maids were responsible not only for cleaning the sleeping cars, but also for intimate domestic work such as doing customers’ hair, providing child care and care for older adults and nursing the sick.

From Seattle Times

That said, the prospect of spending the night in a sleeping car understandably raises a number of questions.

From Washington Post

Station employees brought a coarse mattress from a nearby sleeping car.

From Literature

While the Richmond, Virginia, resident was in a sleeping car with a private toilet, he said coach passengers are suffering “a wretched, wretched experience” with cars reeking of overflowing toilets.

From Washington Times