trundle

1 of 2

verb

trun·​dle ˈtrən-dᵊl 

trundled; trundling

ˈtrən(d)-liŋ,

ˈtrən-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to propel by causing to rotate : roll

a … child who was trundling a hoop

—Charles Dickens

b

archaic : to cause to revolve : spin

2

: to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul, wheel

trundled him off to school

intransitive verb

1

: to progress by revolving

2

: to move on or as if on wheels : roll

buses trundling through the city

trundler

ˈtrən(d)-lər

ˈtrən-dᵊl-ər 

noun

trundle

2 of 2

noun

1

: the motion or sound of something rolling

2

: trundle bed

3

: a round or oval wooden tub

Examples of trundle in a Sentence

Verb

She trundled her suitcase into the room.

The children trundled off to bed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Instead, perhaps the worst pitch shot of McIlroy’s career caromed along the front of No. 13, trundling down into the water. —Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

About three o’clock that morning, under a waning moon, a wagon carrying 20 Royal Navy marines and sailors trundled into the sleeping capital. —Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025

Noun

The simple silhouette of the Dorma bed has a number of optional features, including one or two trundles. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

Foldable legs provide even more support in any trundle position. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

from trundle small wheel, alteration of earlier trendle, from Middle English, circle, ring, wheel, from Old English trendel; akin to Old English trendan to revolve — more at trend entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trundle

• trundle bed
• trundle out
• trundle-tail

Rhymes for trundle

• bundle
• rundle

Kids Definition

trundle

verb

trun·​dle

ˈtrən-dᵊl

trundled; trundling

ˈtrən-dliŋ,

-dᵊl-iŋ

1

: to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul

trundled her off to school

2

: to move on or as if on wheels

buses trundling through the city