wagon-lit

noun

wa·gon-lit vä-gōⁿ-ˈlē

plural wagons-lits or wagon-lits vä-gōⁿ-ˈlē(z)

: a railroad sleeping car

Word History

Etymology

French, from wagon railroad car + lit bed

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of wagon-lit was in 1884

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Browse Nearby Words

wagon jobber

wagon-lit

wagonload

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Wagon-lit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wagon-lit. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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