Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

travois

noun
tra·vois | \trə-ˈvȯi, ˈtra-ˌvȯi\
plural travois also travoises\trə-ˈvȯiz, ˈtra-ˌvȯiz \

Definition of travois 

: a simple vehicle used by Plains Indians consisting of two trailing poles serving as shafts and bearing a platform or net for the load

Illustration of travois

Illustration of travois

First Known Use of travois

1847, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for travois

American French travail, from Canadian French, shaft of a cart, from Middle French traveil catafalque, prop, from Late Latin trepalium instrument of torture — more at travail

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about travois

Dictionary Entries near travois

traves

travesty

travis

travois

travoy

trawl

trawlability

Statistics for travois

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for travois

The first known use of travois was in 1847

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on travois

See words that rhyme with travois

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travois

Comments on travois

What made you want to look up travois? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

mawkish

exaggeratedly or childishly emotional

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games