tram

¹

[ tram ]

noun

1. British. a streetcar.
2. a tramway; tramroad.
3. Also called tram·car [tram, -kahr]. a truck or car on rails for carrying loads in a mine.
4. the vehicle or cage of an overhead carrier.

verb (used with or without object)

, trammed, tram·ming.

1. to convey or travel by tram.

tram

²

[ tram ]

noun

1. trammel ( def 3 ).

verb (used with object)

, trammed, tram·ming.

1. Machinery. to adjust (something) correctly.

tram

³

[ tram ]

noun

1. silk that has been slightly or loosely twisted, used weftwise in weaving silk fabrics.

tram

¹

/ træm /

noun

1. machinery a fine adjustment that ensures correct function or alignment

verb

1. tr to adjust (a mechanism) to a fine degree of accuracy

tram

²

/ træm /

noun

1. (in weaving) a weft yarn of two or more twisted strands of silk

tram

³

/ træm /

noun

1. Also calledtramcar an electrically driven public transport vehicle that runs on rails let into the surface of the road, power usually being taken from an overhead wire US and Canadian namesstreetcartrolley car
2. a small vehicle on rails for carrying loads in a mine; tub

Derived Forms

• ˈtramless, adjective

Other Words From

• tramless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tram¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; Middle English tram, tram(me) “mechanical device, astronomical instrument, siege tower”); 1820–30 tram ¹fordef 2; originally shafts of a barrow or cart, rails for carts (in mines); perhaps from Middle Dutch trame “beam”

Origin of tram²

First recorded in 1880–85; short for trammel

Origin of tram³

First recorded in 1670–80; from French trame “woof, weft, tram,” from Latin trāma “warp,” from trahere “to draw, drag”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tram¹

C19: short for trammel

Origin of tram²

C17: from French trame , from Latin trāma ; related to Latin trāns across, trāmes footpath

Origin of tram³

C16 (in the sense: shaft of a cart): probably from Low German traam beam; compare Old Norse thrömr , Middle Dutch traem beam, tooth of a rake

Example Sentences

An alternative option is to leave the road itself alone, and instead string charging wires above the road that can charge trucks in much the same way urban trams are powered.

From Singularity Hub 

This is a moderate backpacking trip, but can easily be done solo—park at the Leigh Lake Trailhead and take the tram to start at the Granite Canyon trailhead.

From Outside Online

That’s more of a sort of wireless tram, though, to be fair, compared to what’s being proposed in Indiana.

From Popular-Science

Be sure to book your tram ticket early if you want to soar to the top of Gateway Arch—they sell out quickly on weekends and during summer months.

From Outside Online

The resort is also considering a new boot-pack route to offer skiers and riders a way to climb Lone Peak from the top of Dakota lift, bypassing the tram.

From Outside Online

Eva and Adele, the Art Couple, were on my tram, both in high-collared baby-pink dresses.

From The Daily Beast

By day you'll be coerced to hike "the Peak" (I like the tram, thank you) for a quiet view of Kowloon.

From The Daily Beast

Luckily, public transport (the tram) is brilliantly efficient, cost-effective, and blissfully above ground.

From The Daily Beast

Tram cars often ran along the middle of the street, with barely room for a vehicle to pass on either side.

From Project Gutenberg

Tram cars were numerous and children played everywherePg 140 with utter unconcern for the vehicles which crowded the streets.

From Project Gutenberg

In London, for instance, certain tramway companies double the tram-fares on Sundays.

From Project Gutenberg

She walked to Merrion Gates along the tram line about four miles, when she was stopped by sentries.

From Project Gutenberg

How often I would watch some tram-car, some string of barges go from me slowly out of sight.

From Project Gutenberg