water wagon

noun

: a wagon or motortruck equipped with a tank or barrels for hauling water or for sprinkling

Phrases

on the water wagon

: abstaining from alcoholic beverages : on the wagon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Another vehicle often seen on Boise streets was the city’s water wagon. —

Arthur Hart, idahostatesman, 14 Oct. 2017

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

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of water wagon was in 1731

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Water wagon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20wagon. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Word of the Day

symbiosis

Listen to the pronunciation of symbiosis

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Which Came First?

hot take or cold shoulder?

hot take cold shoulder

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY