tonneau

noun

ton·​neau ˈtä-ˌnō How to pronounce tonneau (audio) tə-ˈnō How to pronounce tonneau (audio)
plural tonneaus
1
a
: a rear seating compartment of an automobile
also : the entire seating compartment
2
: a shape of watch case or dial resembling a barrel in profile

Examples of tonneau 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.
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 The original tonneau case was embellished with 42 dazzling diamonds for 6.80 carats in the new Diamond Queen on-demand timepiece set on a rubber strap. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 When lowered, the roof folds neatly under a tonneau behind the car’s two seats. Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Aged in non-toasted tonneau, this Malvasia is typical of the region with good body and roundness. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tonneau

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, tun, from Old French tonel — more at tunnel entry 1

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonneau was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tonneau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonneau. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!