tractor

noun trac·tor \ ˈtrak-tər \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of tractor

1 a : a 4-wheeled or tracklaying automotive vehicle used especially for drawing farm equipment

b : a smaller 2-wheeled apparatus controlled through handlebars by a walking operator

c : ¹truck 1b

2 : an airplane having the propeller forward of the main supporting surfaces

See tractor defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of tractor from the Web

Hall said, at one point, there were 252 tractor-trailer loads of the stuff stockpiled in her town.

— aj willingham, CNN, "Why trainloads of other people's poo have been rotting in an Alabama town for months," 3 Apr. 2018
In March 2007, just before the temple opened, a man stole a front-end loader tractor from a nearby heavy-equipment yard and repeatedly smashed it into the gurdwara.

— hailey branson-potts, latimes.com, "With signs, Northern California county declares it has 'no room for racism.' Reality is more complicated," 1 Apr. 2018
The move came in the wake of a crash in Florida in which an Ohio man died when his Model S sedan hit a tractor-trailer while Autopilot was engaged.

— neal e. boudette, New York Times, "Fatal Tesla Crash Raises New Questions About Autopilot System," 31 Mar. 2018
Tesla has faced questions about Autopilot before, when a Florida driver died from a collision with a tractor-trailer in 2016.

— andrew j. hawkins, The Verge, "Tesla says Autopilot was engaged during fatal Model X crash," 31 Mar. 2018
His family’s old tractor shed is now a vibrant coffee shop.

— ottavia zappala, azcentral, "Gilbert visionary Joe Johnston combines residential, commercial spaces with Agritopia," 22 Mar. 2018
The Easy Change system is currently available on the following 2018 models of 100 Series lawn tractors: E120, E130, E150, E160, E170 and E180.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "John Deere's 30-Second Oil Change Turns This Task Into a One-Handed, Half-a-Minute Job," 22 Mar. 2018
The driver of a Tesla Model S was killed in 2016 when his car, operating on its Autopilot system, crashed into a tractor-trailer in Florida.

— jacques billeaud and tom krisher, The Christian Science Monitor, "First pedestrian fatality from self-driving vehicle raises more safety concerns," 20 Mar. 2018
The driver of a Tesla Model S was killed in 2016 when his car, operating on its Autopilot system, crashed into a tractor-trailer in Florida.

— jacques billeaud and tom krisher, The Christian Science Monitor, "First pedestrian fatality from self-driving vehicle raises more safety concerns," 20 Mar. 2018

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

Illustration of tractor

Origin and Etymology of tractor

New Latin, from Latin trahere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1900

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TRACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

tractor

noun

Definition of tractor for English Language Learners

: a large vehicle that has two large back wheels and two smaller front wheels and that is used to pull farm equipment
: a short, heavy truck that is designed to pull a large trailer

TRACTOR Defined for Kids

tractor

noun trac·tor \ ˈtrak-tər \

Definition of tractor for Students

1 : a vehicle that has large rear wheels or moves on endless belts and is used especially for pulling farm implements

2 : a short truck for hauling a trailer

Medical Dictionary

tractor

noun trac·tor \ ˈtrak-tər \

medical Definition of tractor

: an instrument used to exert traction on a body part or tissue (as in surgical procedures)

a urethral tractor

Learn More about tractor

See words that rhyme with tractor Spanish Central: Translation of tractor Nglish: Translation of tractor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tractor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tractor

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tractor

Definition of tractor

Recent Examples of tractor from the Web

Illustration of tractor

Origin and Etymology of tractor

TRACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

tractor

Definition of tractor for English Language Learners

TRACTOR Defined for Kids

tractor

Definition of tractor for Students

Medical Dictionary

tractor

medical Definition of tractor

Learn More about tractor

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tractor

Definition of tractor

Recent Examples of tractor from the Web

Illustration of tractor

Origin and Etymology of tractor

TRACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

tractor

Definition of tractor for English Language Learners

TRACTOR Defined for Kids

tractor

Definition of tractor for Students

Medical Dictionary

tractor

medical Definition of tractor

Learn More about tractor

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