tractor

noun

trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
1
a
: a 4-wheeled or tracklaying automotive vehicle used especially for drawing farm equipment
b
: a smaller 2-wheeled apparatus controlled through handlebars by a walking operator
2
: an airplane having the propeller forward of the main supporting surfaces

Illustration of tractor

Illustration of tractor
  • tractor 1a

Examples of tractor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dozens of tractors drove peacefully into Paris carrying flags from Rural Coordination, the farmers’ union that staged the protest. Sylvie Corbet, Quartz, 23 Feb. 2024 Many of the tractors may have to stay outside of the city because of government restrictions. Alicia León, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 The farmers, who rode on tractors and trucks from neighboring Haryana and Punjab states, say the government has failed to meet some of their key demands from the previous protests. Krutika Pathi, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Feb. 2024 Key Facts Tens of thousands of farmers in trucks, buses and tractors are heading towards New Delhi to protest the government and reiterate their long-time demand for a legal guarantee of minimum support price for their produce, among other things. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Dozens of tractors jammed streets in Brussels near EU institutions less than a week later as farmers aimed their resentment at the bloc’s leaders meeting nearby for a summit. Nayla Razzouk, Fortune Europe, 13 Feb. 2024 While plowing his field in Bulgaria, a farmer hit a large stone with his tractor. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024 In Italy, a small convoy of tractors moved across Rome's historical center to the Colosseum, escorted by police patrols. CiarÁn Giles and Monika Scislowska The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 10 Feb. 2024 Highways in Spain are blocked by tractors and other farm equipment as protests spread from neighboring countries. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tractor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin trahere

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tractor was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near tractor

Cite this Entry

“Tractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tractor. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tractor

noun
trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
1
: a vehicle that has large rear wheels or moves on tracks and is used especially for pulling farm implements
2
: a short truck with no body used in combination with a trailer for hauling freight

Medical Definition

tractor

noun
trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
: an instrument used to exert traction on a body part or tissue (as in surgical procedures)
a urethral tractor
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