plural tonneaus
1
a
: a rear seating compartment of an automobile
also
: the entire seating compartment
b
2
: a shape of watch case or dial resembling a barrel in profile
Examples of tonneau in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Well, more of a cross between a bed and a trunk; it was completely enclosed, with a single-piece tonneau that hinged upwards like a sedan’s rear hatch and a pair of side-opening doors instead of a fold-down tailgate.
—
Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025
When lowered, the roof folds neatly under a tonneau behind the car’s two seats.
—Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The magazine re-ran the tonneau testing at 65 miles per hour instead and saw significant gains.
—Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Convertibles have a cover for the top mechanism that hides the engine, even with the convertible tonneau raised.
—Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 26 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for tonneau
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Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025
When lowered, the roof folds neatly under a tonneau behind the car’s two seats.
—Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The magazine re-ran the tonneau testing at 65 miles per hour instead and saw significant gains.
—Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Convertibles have a cover for the top mechanism that hides the engine, even with the convertible tonneau raised.
—Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 26 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for tonneau
Cite this Entry
“Tonneau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonneau. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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