trunk

noun

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\ ˈtrəŋk

Definition of trunk

1a : 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

2a(1) : a large rigid piece of luggage used usually for transporting clothing and personal effects

(2) : the luggage compartment of an automobile

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

5a : 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)

6a : 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

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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 The trees were destroyed down to the trunk, and all the branches were cut off. — Vanessa Arredondo, SFChronicle.com, "Cherry blossom trees in S.F’s Japantown ripped bare by vandals," 7 Jan. 2021 The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Gregory died from a gunshot wound to the trunk of his body that perforated a lung. — Amanda Blanco, courant.com, "State’s attorney rules Ansonia police officer was justified in fatally shooting knife-wielding man," 18 Dec. 2020 The tall, straight trunk was used for the masts of sailing ships. — Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, "Lake County’s aromatic evergreens beckon in winter," 24 Dec. 2020 Check Christmas tree stands daily to ensure the water level does not drop below the bottom of the cut trunk. — Washington Post, "In a challenging, exhausting year, the garden has been a lifeline for many," 23 Dec. 2020 This approach allows the mistletoe to crawl along the host tree and capture choice sunlit territory among upper branches, but also crawl back toward the tree’s water-laden trunk. — Rachel Ehrenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Biology of Mistletoe," 23 Dec. 2020 Haller defends himself when police find the body of a former client in his car's trunk. — New York Times, Star Tribune, "New York Times bestsellers," 22 Dec. 2020 Generally, maintain about one-third bare trunk to two-thirds leafy canopy as the young tree grows. — Dan Gill, NOLA.com, "Dan Gill's mailbox: Go easy on the pruning for tropicals showing freeze damage," 22 Dec. 2020 The leaves exploded, and the squirrel scrabbled around the trunk uninjured. — Natalie Krebs, Field & Stream, "F&S Classics: A Hunt with Poppa," 15 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trunk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.