semitrailer
noun
semi·trail·er
ˈse-ˌmī-ˌtrā-lər 
ˈse-mē-,
-mi-
plural semitrailers
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
called also big rig
Examples of semitrailer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The driver of the semitrailer was treated for minor conditions and declined to be taken to a hospital.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
The storm caused an hours-long mess on Interstate 85 northeast of the city, after a crash left dozens of semitrailers and other vehicles backed up into the evening, according to the State Highway Patrol.
—Adrian Sainz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The state announced travel restrictions for some commercial vehicles, such as semitrailers, on interstates starting Friday afternoon.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Witnesses reported and a semitrailer video showed Tipantua driving erratically on the interstate prior to the collision, changing lanes often and without signaling and weaving in and out of traffic, the complaint said.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semitrailer
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Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
The storm caused an hours-long mess on Interstate 85 northeast of the city, after a crash left dozens of semitrailers and other vehicles backed up into the evening, according to the State Highway Patrol.
—Adrian Sainz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The state announced travel restrictions for some commercial vehicles, such as semitrailers, on interstates starting Friday afternoon.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Witnesses reported and a semitrailer video showed Tipantua driving erratically on the interstate prior to the collision, changing lanes often and without signaling and weaving in and out of traffic, the complaint said.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semitrailer
Cite this Entry
“Semitrailer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semitrailer. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
semitrailer
noun
semi·trail·er
ˈsem-i-ˌtrā-lər
ˈsem-ˌī-
1
: a freight trailer that when attached is supported at its forward end by the truck tractor
2
: a trucking rig made up of a tractor and a semitrailer
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