# carriage

/ˈkæɹɪdʒ/ (US) · /kˈæɹɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carriage
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. train car

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

one of the separate sections of a train that carries passengers.

For teachers: a passenger vehicle on a railway, typically consisting of several compartments or an open-plan seating area.

- The train was very busy, so we had to walk through every carriage to find a seat.
- The first-class carriage offered significantly more legroom and complimentary refreshments compared to the standard commuter sections of the train.

Usage: In British English, 'carriage' is the standard term for a passenger car; American English typically uses 'car' or 'coach'.

### 2. horse-drawn vehicle

noun · CEFR B2

a vehicle with four wheels that is pulled by horses, used mainly in the past.

For teachers: a private four-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle for transporting people, common before the advent of the motor car.

- The royal couple waved to the crowds from their open-top horse carriage.
- In the nineteenth century, owning a private carriage was a clear indicator of high social status and significant personal wealth.

### 3. posture

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the way a person holds their body when standing or walking.

For teachers: the manner in which a person carries their body; physical bearing or posture.

- The dancer had a very graceful carriage that made her stand out on stage.
- Despite his advanced age, the retired general maintained a stiff, military carriage that commanded immediate respect from everyone in the room.

### 4. cost of transport

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the cost of moving goods from one place to another.

For teachers: the act of conveying goods or the charge incurred for such transport.

- The price of the furniture includes the cost of carriage to your home.
- The contract specifies that the buyer is responsible for all carriage costs and insurance premiums from the moment the goods leave the warehouse.

Usage: Often found in commercial phrases like 'carriage paid' or 'carriage forward'.

### 5. baby transport

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a small vehicle used for pushing a baby around.

For teachers: a four-wheeled vehicle for a baby, designed so the infant can lie down while being pushed.

- She pushed the baby carriage slowly through the park while the infant slept.
- The vintage baby carriage featured large chrome wheels and a deep navy hood, reflecting a classic mid-century design.

Teaching tip: In the US, 'carriage' or 'baby carriage' is common for the type where a baby lies flat; British speakers almost exclusively use 'pram'.

## Examples

- The train has ten passenger carriages.
- We walked through every carriage on the train looking for a seat but they were all full.
- The museum features a beautifully restored Victorian carriage, complete with velvet upholstery and the original crest of the family that commissioned it in the late nineteenth century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.