trunk

noun

ˈtrəŋk 

1

a

: the main stem of a tree apart from limbs and roots

called also bole

b(1)

: the human or animal body apart from the head, neck, and appendages : torso

(2)

: the thorax of an insect

c

: the central part of anything

specifically : the shaft of a column or pilaster

2

a(1)

: a large rigid piece of luggage used usually for transporting clothing and personal items

(2)

: the enclosed space in the back of an automobile for carrying things

b(1)

: a superstructure over a ship's hatches usually level with the poop deck

(2)

: the part of the cabin of a boat projecting above the deck

(3)

: the housing for a centerboard or rudder

3

: proboscis

especially : the long muscular proboscis of the elephant

4

trunks plural : men's shorts worn chiefly for sports

swimming trunks

5

a

: a usually major channel or passage (such as a chute or shaft)

b

: a circuit between two telephone exchanges for making connections between subscribers

broadly : a usually electronic path over which information is transmitted (as between computer systems)

6

a

: the principal channel or main body of a system or part that divides into branches

a nerve trunk

the trunk of a river

b

: trunk line

trunkful

ˈtrənk-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms of trunk

• bin
• locker
• box
• chest

Examples of trunk in a Sentence

the trunk of an artery

threw the rest of her books and tapes in the trunk and closed the lid

Recent Examples on the Web

Their extraordinary height, massive trunks and quiet solemnity really moved me. — Antonia Bowring, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Coatie's fingerprint was found on the Charger's trunk, and investigators detected his DNA inside the vehicle. — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Spread a thin layer over the area, but keep it away from the trunk, and make sure the root flare remains visible. — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026

Keep the paper bags 2 to 3 inches away from the base of plant stems and tree trunks to prevent moisture buildup and rot. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trunke Anglo-French trunc, trunke, from Latin truncus trunk, torso

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing trunk

• nerve trunk
• Saratoga trunk
• steamer trunk
• trunk call
• trunk hose
• trunk line
• trunk or treat
• trunk-or-treater
• trunk-or-treating
• trunk road

Rhymes for trunk

• bunk
• chunk
• clunk
• drunk
• dunk
• hunk
• junk
• punk
• shrunk
• slunk
• spunk
• sunk

Video

Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

Kids Definition

trunk

noun

ˈtrəŋk 

1

a

: the main stem of a tree apart from branches or roots

b

: the body of a person or animal apart from the head, arms, and legs : torso

c

: the main or central part of something

trunk of an artery

2

a

: a box or chest for holding clothes or other articles especially for traveling

b

: the enclosed space usually in the rear of an automobile for carrying articles

3

: the long flexible muscular nose of an elephant or a related mammal (as a woolly mammoth)

4

plural : men's shorts worn chiefly for sports

swimming trunks

Medical Definition

trunk

noun

ˈtrəŋk 

1

: the human body apart from the head and appendages : torso

2

: the main body of an anatomical part (as a nerve or blood vessel) that divides into branches