truck

¹ American  

[truhk] / trʌk /

noun

1. any of various forms of vehicle for carrying goods and materials, usually consisting of a single self-propelled unit but also often composed of a trailer vehicle hauled by a tractor unit.

2. any of various wheeled frames used for transporting heavy objects.

3. Also called hand truck. a barrowlike frame with low wheels, a ledge at the bottom, and handles at the top, used to move heavy luggage, packages, cartons, etc.

4. a low, rectangular frame on which heavy boxes, crates, trunks, etc., are moved; a dolly.

5. a tiered framework on casters.

6. a group of two or more pairs of wheels in one frame, for supporting one end of a railroad car, locomotive, etc.

7. Movies. a dolly on which a camera is mounted.

8. British. a freight car having no top.

9. a small wooden wheel, cylinder, or roller, as on certain old-style gun carriages.

10. Nautical. a circular or square piece of wood fixed on the head of a mast or the top of a flagstaff, usually containing small holes for signal halyards.

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verb (used with object)

1. to transport by truck.

2. to put on a truck.

3. Movies. dolly.

verb (used without object)

1. to convey articles or goods on a truck.

2. to drive a truck.

3. Movies. dolly.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for a truck or trucks.

   a truck drive; truck tires.

truck ² American  

[truhk] / trʌk /

noun

1. vegetables raised for the market.

2. miscellaneous articles of little worth; odds and ends.

3. Informal. trash or rubbish.

   That's a lot of truck.

4. Informal. dealings.

   I'll have no truck with him.

5. barter.

6. a bargain or deal.

7. the payment of wages in goods instead of money.

8. truck system.

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verb (used with object)

1. to exchange; barter; trade.

verb (used without object)

1. to exchange commodities; barter.

2. to traffic; have dealings.

truck ³ American  

[truhk] / trʌk /

noun

1. a shuffling jitterbug step.

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verb (used without object)

1. to dance with such steps.

2. Slang. to walk or stroll, especially in a jaunty manner.

   trucking down the avenue on a Sunday afternoon.

truck ¹ British  

/ trʌk /

noun

1. a vehicle for carrying freight on a railway; wagon

2. Also called (esp in Britain): lorry. a large motor vehicle designed to carry heavy loads, esp one with a flat platform

3. a frame carrying two or more pairs of wheels and usually springs and brakes, attached under an end of a railway coach, etc

4. nautical

   1. a disc-shaped block fixed to the head of a mast having sheave holes for receiving signal halyards

   2. the head of a mast itself

5. any wheeled vehicle used to move goods

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verb

1. to convey (goods) in a truck

2. (intr) to drive a truck

truck ² British  

/ trʌk /

noun

1. commercial goods

2. dealings (esp in the phrase have no truck with )

3. commercial exchange

4. archaic payment of wages in kind

5. miscellaneous articles

6. informal rubbish

7. vegetables grown for market

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verb

1. archaic to exchange (goods); barter

2. (intr) to traffic or negotiate

truck Idioms  

1. see have no truck with.

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Other Word Forms

• truckable
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of truck¹

First recorded in 1605–15; back formation from truckle “wheel”; see origin at truckle

Origin of truck²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English truken, trukien “to exchange,” from Old French troquer, trochier “to exchange” and Medieval Latin trocāre “to barter”; further origin unknown

Origin of truck³

First recorded in 1935–40; special use of truck ¹

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Explanation

Vroom, vroom! A truck is a motorized vehicle on wheels—it's like a car, but bigger. Trucks are often used for hauling or transporting things. What we call a truck in the U.S. is generally called a lorry in the U.K. Trucks vary in size from small pickups that aren't much larger than cars to 18-wheel semi-trailer trucks. These big trucks are built to transport heavy goods and are mostly powered by diesel fuel. Truck is also a verb, meaning "convey by truck" or "proceed leisurely." The Middle English root word means "wooden wheel."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

truck

Without a human, the truck drives from depot to another depot or yard where the trailer is either unloaded or a human driver takes over for docking or driving the final mile.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Drivers typically work three weeks and then take a week off, meaning a truck is only in operation 75% of the time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Caltrans said the deck replacement is necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the bridge and improve safety for maintenance workers, truck drivers and the traveling public.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Italy is preparing for a turbulent autumn following a spike in inflation because of energy prices, with students, truck drivers and farmers taking to the streets ahead of elections next year.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Then my reality hits me, like a truck driving straight at me.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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Related Words

• car
• crate
• freighter
• jeep
• lorry
• pickup
• rig
• van
• wagon

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