tractor

noun

trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
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
2
: an airplane having the propeller forward of the main supporting surfaces

Illustration of tractor

Illustration of tractor
  • tractor 1a

Examples of tractor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The former president’s comments appeared to be off the cuff, prompted only by the John Deere tractors that were set up as the backdrop of the event. Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2024 Tester rode a tractor in the Fourth of July parade in Butte. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2024 Puppet show, petting zoo, costume contest, not-so-scary haunted trail, tractor rides, carnival games and more. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2024 So the Ukrainian tankers towed away the T-72 using their own T-64 as the tractor. David Axe, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tractor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tractor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin trahere

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tractor was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near tractor

Cite this Entry

“Tractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tractor. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tractor

noun
trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
1
: a vehicle that has large rear wheels or moves on tracks and is used especially for pulling farm implements
2
: a short truck with no body used in combination with a trailer for hauling freight

Medical Definition

tractor

noun
trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
: an instrument used to exert traction on a body part or tissue (as in surgical procedures)
a urethral tractor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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