station wagon

American  

noun

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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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

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” feels like a tricked-out station wagon with James Cameron at the wheel speeding us to his favorite spot in the galaxy.

From Los Angeles Times

No one is immune to holiday fatigue, and it is contagious: One grumpy traveler can make the rest of his or her party miserable before the station wagon has left the driveway.

From Literature

Debbi and I got in our station wagon, drove to Susanna’s house and played together.

From Los Angeles Times

He and his brother and cousins would pile into his uncle’s station wagon and made their way to downtown Los Angeles, where the family would go shopping.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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