ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pullman

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈpʊɫmən// pull·man

n. a comfortable and fancy train car where passengers can sleep or eat. It was named after the man who first designed them for long trips.

n. a luxurious railway sleeping car or parlor car, originally manufactured by the Pullman Company. Often used to describe high-end, long-distance rail travel from the late 19th to mid-20th century.


SIMPLE

The travelers booked a private pullman for their journey across the country.

CONTEXTUAL

During the golden age of rail, a pullman offered a level of comfort and service that rivaled the finest hotels.

COMPLEX

The restoration of the vintage pullman required sourcing authentic velvet upholstery and polished mahogany to replicate the opulent atmosphere of early twentieth-century luxury travel.

Origin

Ellipsis of Pullman car, after the Pullman Palace Car Company, named after American engineer and industrialist George Pullman (1831–1897).

Usage

Often capitalized as 'Pullman' when referring to the specific brand or historical company cars.

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