trunk

noun

\ 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 car’s plate is 5FUP228, and its rear trunk area had body damage. — Los Angeles Times, "Childhood friends killed in South L.A. drive-by. Now, a suspect is charged," 21 Aug. 2019 Chicago and North match their mom in shiny silver one-piece swimsuits, while the boys sit on Kardashian West’s opposite side, dressed in dark-green trunks. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian Shares First Photo with All 4 Kids — But Jokes Shot Was 'Almost Impossible'," 21 Aug. 2019 As Curtis slammed the trunk closed, his brother hit the door jam on the driver’s side and collapsed to his knees. — jsonline.com, "A look at the justice system through one man's story," 21 Aug. 2019 Don’t crowd mulch around trunk; keep it a few inches away. — oregonlive.com, "Western Oregon conifers continue to show damage from drought," 20 Aug. 2019 The place where the trunk flares out into the roots should sit at the surrounding soil level or a little higher. — Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, "Give trees, shrubs a shave before planting," 19 Aug. 2019 The best portable speakers come in all shapes and sizes, with options ranging from small and lightweight that easily fit in a backpack to larger varieties that can be put in the trunk for a road trip. — Emily Price, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Portable Speakers for Lazy Lake Days, Hotel Room Dance Parties, and Camping Trips," 19 Aug. 2019 Remove the old trunk when fruiting is over and wait for nearby offshoots to produce your next crop. — Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Good care leads to bountiful banana harvest," 17 Aug. 2019 Concerns were prompted by the beer being left in warm spots like vehicle trunks. — Kathy Flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lakefront Brewery recalls bottles of My Turn Junk because they might explode," 15 Aug. 2019

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.