chariot

1 of 2

noun

char·​i·​ot ˈcher-ē-ət How to pronounce chariot (audio)
ˈcha-rē-
1
: a light four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage
2
: a two-wheeled horse-drawn battle car of ancient times used also in processions and races

chariot

2 of 2

verb

charioted; charioting; chariots

intransitive verb

: to drive or ride in or as if in a chariot

transitive verb

: to carry in or as if in a chariot

Examples of chariot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Read More: The Surprising History of the Bidet Started with the Wealthy and Brothels As Assyrian nobles were spearing lions from their chariots for the sheer thrill of it, for example, ordinary people were left to develop their own workaday diversions. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 The once faithful servant was ejected from the chariot just before the wax lynchpins gave way, and the chariot self-destructed. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2024 Their confrontation is a frenetic scene of bodies dodging flying objects, the chariot breaking and the horses escaping. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024 King Oenomaus was an excellent chariot racer and arranged chariot races with all the suitors. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2024 Tents, portable stables, chariots, feed buckets — everything but the horses — were auctioned off to pay creditors. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2023 The 10-episode Those About To Die is set in the complex and corrupt world of chariot racing and gladiatorial fights in ancient Rome. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Aug. 2023 The Hyksos are widely believed to have introduced the Egyptians to the horse and chariot, glass-working and all sorts of weaponry, including battle axes and composite bows. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 16 May 2023 The celebration already included chariot races, gift giving, feasting, dressing up, and drinking wine, which fit the emperor's party itinerary for Sol Invictus. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chariot.' 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

Noun

Middle English chariot, chariette "wheeled vehicle for transporting people or things, vehicle used in warfare," borrowed from Anglo-French, "four-wheeled vehicle" (also continental Old French), from charier "to transport, carry entry 1" + -ot, noun suffix, here instrumental, going back to Vulgar Latin *-ottus, variant of Latin -ittus, diminutive suffix

Note: Other examples of -ot as an instrumental suffix are brûlot "fireship," cachot "prison cell."

Verb

derivative of chariot entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1550, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of chariot was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chariot

Cite this Entry

“Chariot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chariot. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chariot

noun
char·​i·​ot
ˈchar-ē-ət
: a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle of ancient times used in battle and also in races and parades
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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