station wagon

American  

noun

• station wagons
  plural

1. an automobile with one or more rows of folding or removable seats behind the driver and no luggage compartment but an area behind the seats into which suitcases, parcels, etc., can be loaded through a tailgate.

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station wagon British  

noun

1. British term: estate car.  a car with a comparatively long body containing a large carrying space, reached through a rear door: usually the back seats can be folded forward to increase the carrying space

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• station wagons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of station wagon

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Compare meaning

How does station-wagon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• station wagon vs. hatchback

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

station wagon

They raced to Susman’s home, loaded the computer in her station wagon, smothered the machine in pillows and blankets—and buckled the seat belt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

Our wood-paneled station wagon will be waiting at the other end.

From Salon ● Jan. 25, 2026

I remember loading up the station wagon on several occasions and fleeing to our Aunt Faith’s house.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2025

Swedish police said they are looking for witnesses who may have seen a silver station wagon "that may be relevant to the case".

From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2024

Raymie closed the door to the station wagon as quietly as she could and climbed the front steps to her house.

From "Raymie Nightingale" by Kate DiCamillo

Related Words

• auto
• automobile
• bus
• convertible
• jeep
• limousine
• machine
• motor
• pickup
• ride
• truck
• van
• wagon