tonneau

American  

[tuh-noh] / tʌˈnoʊ /

noun

tonneaus, plural tonneaux plural

1. a rear part or compartment of an automobile body, containing seats for passengers.

2. a complete automobile body having such a rear part.

3. a waterproof cover, generally of canvas or vinyl, that can be fastened over the cockpit of a roadster or convertible to protect the interior.

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tonneau British  

/ ˈtɒnəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: tonneau cover. 

   1. a detachable cover to protect the rear part of an open car when it is not carrying passengers

   2. a similar cover that fits over all the passenger seats, but not the driver's, in an open vehicle

2. rare the part of an open car in which the rear passengers sit

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tonneaus
  plural
• tonneaux
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tonneau

1900–05; < French: literally, cask; Old French tonel . See tunnel

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tonneau tonneaus tonneaux

The roof pillars and rear deck—the tonneau, if we’re being pedantic—rise as one piece, clearing a space underneath for the roof panel to slip into.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026

Munro likes some of the thoughtful touches on the R1T, including a cleverly hinged tailgate, a power tonneau cover and a large under-bed storage compartment just behind the cabin.

From Reuters ● Jun. 3, 2022

Roadster versions like our test car give up the coupe’s noble roofline in favor of a canvas top, which stows itself under the tonneau incorporating upholstered buttresses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2015

The New York Times reported a dramatic scene in 1921, when a pet Angora clamped down on the finger of a Manhattan woman who was riding in the tonneau of her husband’s car.

From Slate ● Dec. 6, 2012

He sprang aboard and climbed into the tonneau breathlessly.

From The Auto Boys' Quest by Braden, James A. (James Andrew)

Rocks, small stones and dirt flew all around them, striking with loud noises the hoods and other metal parts of the automobiles, and even landing in the tonneaus of the larger cars.

From The Rover Boys on a Tour or Last Days at Brill College by Stratemeyer, Edward

Now the front wheels overlapped the rear ones of the green machine—now they were at the side door of the tonneau—now the two tonneaus were even!

From Larry Dexter's Great Search or, The Hunt for the Missing Millionaire by Garis, Howard Roger

They came from behind, swinging across his path in a blur of dust, laughter and shrill cries rising from their crowded tonneaus.

From Miss Maitland Private Secretary by Bonner, Geraldine

Many auto loads arrived with a shout and claimants leaped from the tonneaus, falling into line almost before the vehicles had stopped.

From The Conquest The Story of a Negro Pioneer by Micheaux, Oscar

Link, in his own occasional trudges along this bit of state road, had often seen costly dogs in the tonneaus of passing cars.

From His Dog by Terhune, Albert Payson

We knew that Williams, the ignoble designer of tonneaux, laboured under the delusion that he could paint.

From Aliens by McFee, William