big rig

noun

plural big rigs
US
: a large truck with an attached trailer that is used for hauling freight : semitrailer sense 2
A father and grandfather, Brubaker worked behind the wheel of a big rig for over a decade before transferring to a supervisory role.Deirdre Reilly
He formerly drove a big rig for a freight company.Jim Kleinpeter

Examples of big rig in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Authorities on Sunday closed several lanes of Interstate 45 near downtown Dallas after a big rig caught fire, according to Texas Department of Transportation officials. Timia Cobb breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026 The company says it’s raised up to $1 billion, including from Uber, to help commercialize its robotic big rig business and fund a surprise foray into the robotaxi market. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 The truck driver was convicted of vehicular manslaughter, but the Cobles’ wrongful-death lawsuit against Caltrans, arguing that faulty freeway design led to the backup their car was in when the big rig came around the bend, was lost in a jury trial. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026 The cardboard struck a Ford pickup when the big rig overturned. Brandon Downs, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big rig

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big rig was in 1946

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Cite this Entry

“Big rig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20rig. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

big rig

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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