semitrailer

noun semi·trail·er \ ˈse-ˌmī-ˌtrā-lər , ˈse-mē- , -mi- \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of semitrailer

1 : a freight trailer that when attached is supported at its forward end by the fifth wheel device of the truck tractor

2 : a trucking rig made up of a tractor and a semitrailer

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Recent Examples of semitrailer from the Web

Perry found that many of the roads semitrailers would have to travel are rural and not designed for heavy loads.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Mississippi River lock and dam system is critical to the economy. But it's falling apart fast.," 1 June 2018
Joleen learned that her husband had been driving east on I-94 when pieces of a brake drum fell off a semitrailer truck.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Nightmare #1: Husband's death by flying debris on I-94. Nightmare #2: The investigation," 29 June 2018
An eastbound semitrailer truck loaded with apples and an SUV were slowing for the merging traffic when the truck struck the SUV and pushed it into another semi.

— john sowell, idahostatesman, "Contractor herding traffic near fiery I-84 crash had safety plan. Here's what it said," 29 June 2018
The driver of a semitrailer truck that crashed and fell from a highway overpass Sunday in Kansas City, Kan., survived the wreck and was hospitalized in serious condition, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

— ian cummings, joe robertson, robert a. cronkleton and tammy ljungblad, kansascity, "'Miracle he's alive': Driver hospitalized after semi truck falls off overpass in KCK," 25 June 2018
Just last week, authorities in San Antonio charged a South Texas man with human smuggling after 54 immigrants were found in a semitrailer.

— samantha schmidt, Anchorage Daily News, "5 killed in Texas crash after SUV packed with immigrants flees Border Patrol, authorities say," 18 June 2018
Just last week, authorities in San Antonio charged a South Texas man with human smuggling after 54 immigrants were found in a semitrailer.

— samantha schmidt, Washington Post, "5 killed in Texas crash after SUV packed with immigrants flees Border Patrol, authorities say," 18 June 2018
Last July, 10 people died as they were smuggled through Texas when 39 immigrants were found packed into a semitrailer in the parking lot of a San Antonio Walmart.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "55 illegal immigrants found in truck in Texas near San Antonio airport," 13 June 2018
Dwight Adams/IndyStar Five people were hospitalized Monday afternoon, after a semitrailer truck rolled over on I-465 on the city's southwest side.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "4 kids, semi driver hospitalized after truck rolls over on I-465 near Sam Jones Expressway," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semitrailer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of semitrailer

1919

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SEMITRAILER Defined for English Language Learners

semitrailer

noun

Definition of semitrailer for English Language Learners

: a long trailer that has wheels at the rear and is attached at its forward end to a large truck
: a large truck with a long trailer attached to the back of it