SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

1

truck

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noun \ ˈtrək \

Definition of truck

1 :a wheeled vehicle for moving heavy articles: such as

a :a strong horse-drawn or automotive vehicle (such as a pickup) for hauling

b :an automotive vehicle with a short chassis equipped with a swivel for attaching a trailer and used especially for the highway hauling of freight; also :a truck with attached trailer

c :a small barrow consisting of a rectangular frame having at one end a pair of handles and at the other end a pair of small heavy wheels and a projecting edge to slide under a load — called also hand truck

d :a small heavy rectangular frame supported on four wheels for moving heavy objects

e :a small flat-topped car pushed or pulled by hand

f :a shelved stand mounted on casters

2 a British :an open railroad freight car

b :a swiveling carriage consisting of a frame with one or more pairs of wheels and springs to carry and guide one end (as of a railroad car) in turning sharp curves

3 :a small wheel; specifically :a small strong wheel for a gun carriage

4 :a small wooden cap at the top of a flagstaff or masthead usually having holes for reeving flag or signal halyards

—

truckful

play \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

Origin and Etymology of truck

probably back-formation from truckle small wheel — more at truckle bed

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1611

See Words from the same year

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

2

truck

verb

Definition of truck

transitive verb

:to load or transport on a truck

intransitive verb

1 :to roll along especially in an easy untroubled way

2 :to transport goods by truck

3 :to be employed in driving a truck

First Known Use of truck

1748

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

3

truck

verb

Definition of truck

transitive verb

1 :to give in exchange :swap

2 :to barter or dispose of by barter

intransitive verb

1 :to exchange commodities :barter

2 :to negotiate or traffic especially in an underhanded way :have dealings

Origin and Etymology of truck

Middle English trukken, from Anglo-French *truker, *troker, from Vulgar Latin *troccare, probably of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Other Vehicles Terms

brougham, hansom, litter, shay, skid, sledge, sulky, wain

4

truck

noun

Definition of truck

1 :barter

2 :commodities appropriate for barter or for small trade

3 :close association or connection

will have no truck with crooks

4 :payment of wages in goods instead of cash

5 :vegetables grown for market

6 :heterogeneous small articles often of little value; also :rubbish

First Known Use of truck

1553

Other Transportation Terms

camber, corduroy, demurrage, milestone

TRUCK Defined for Kids

1

truck

play

noun \ ˈtrək \

Definition of truck for Students

:a vehicle (as a strong heavy wagon or motor vehicle) for carrying heavy articles or hauling a trailer

2

truck

noun

Definition of truck for Students

:close association

He wanted no truck with criminals.

3

truck

verb

Definition of truck for Students

trucked; trucking

:to transport on or in a truck

Learn More about truck

See words that rhyme with truck Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for truck Spanish Central: Translation of truck Nglish: Translation of truck for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of truck for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about truck

Seen and Heard

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

yeasty

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of yeast or being unsettled or frivolous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Truchas Peaks

trucial

truck

truckage

truckaway

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