English Reference

Word

minivan

Phoneticsmini·van

US/ˈmɪniˈvæn/

UK/mˈɪnɪvˌæn/

Definitions

01family vehicle

B1

n. a large car that can carry several people, usually a family, and has plenty of space for bags.

n. a passenger vehicle designed for family transport, typically featuring a high roof, sliding doors, and three rows of seating.

“We rented a minivan for our road trip so the kids would have enough space.”

“The manufacturer redesigned the minivan to include stow-away seating, appealing to suburban families who require versatile cargo configurations.”

American English

Usage

In British English, this vehicle is more commonly referred to as a 'people carrier'.

Synonyms

MPVpeople carrierpassenger van

02to travel by minivan

C2

v. to travel or move people using a minivan.

v. to transport passengers or travel specifically by means of a minivan.

“The team minivanned across the state to reach the tournament on time.”

“Having minivanned through the mountains for three days, the researchers were relieved to finally reach the remote field station.”

Informal

Usage

This verb use is relatively rare and typically occurs in informal, spoken contexts.

Synonyms

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference