streetcar

noun

street·​car ˈstrēt-ˌkär How to pronounce streetcar (audio)
: a vehicle on rails used primarily for transporting passengers and typically operating on city streets

Illustration of streetcar

Illustration of streetcar

Examples of streetcar 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.
Ding Dong Dogs will also be along the southernmost streetcar stop as part of the city’s extension plan, expected to open this fall. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025 The streetcar was certainly a loss leader for Collier, but his business, of course, was real estate. Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025 It was overseen by citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor, distributed for free, and covered local political issues, such as streetcar fares and tuberculosis testing for cows, in addition to broader topics, like music and fashion. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 June 2025 Before the 1899 season, Spiders owner Frank Robison, a Cleveland streetcar tycoon, purchased the St. Louis Browns (later to become the Cardinals) from Chris Von der Ahe. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for streetcar

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of streetcar was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Streetcar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streetcar. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

streetcar

noun
street·​car -ˌkär How to pronounce streetcar (audio)
: a passenger vehicle that runs on rails and typically operates on city streets

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