trailer

American  

[trey-ler] / ˈtreɪ lər /

noun

1. a large van or wagon drawn by an automobile, truck, or tractor, used especially in hauling freight by road.

2. Also called travel trailer.  a vehicle attached to an automobile and used as a mobile home or place of business, usually equipped with furniture, kitchen facilities, bathroom, etc.

3. a person or thing that trails.

4. a trailing plant.

5. a short promotional film composed of clips showing highlights of a movie due for release in the near future.

6. blank film at the end of a reel or strip of film, for winding off the film in a motion-picture camera or projector.

7. Ceramics. a can with a spout, used in slip trailing.

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trailer British  

/ ˈtreɪlə /

noun

1. a road vehicle, usually two-wheeled, towed by a motor vehicle: used for transporting boats, etc

2. the part of an articulated lorry that is drawn by the cab

3. a series of short extracts from a film, used to advertise it in a cinema or on television

4. a person or thing that trails

5. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): caravan.  a large enclosed vehicle capable of being pulled by a car or lorry and equipped to be lived in

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Etymology

Origin of trailer

First recorded in 1580–90; trail + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Take “Materialists,” a film that seemed like a fresh take on the 2000s-era romantic comedy thanks to its earliest teasers and trailers.

From Salon

A new trailer teased sparks flying between Liberty Savage and Tinhead, but he may not be all he appears as it is revealed he has an ulterior motive.

From BBC

For both, the logistical intricacies of casting announcements, trailers and key art are important — but they’re nothing without the attention of each show’s very active and powerful fandom.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month a trailer dropped for “Animal Farm: A Cautionary Tail,” an animated retelling of George Orwell’s 1945 book.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite the somewhat jarring presence of Sigourney Weaver in an early trailer, we wouldn’t expect the Star Wars and Alien franchises to somehow be merging.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mobile home