English Reference

Word

sedan

US/səˈdæn/

UK/sɪdˈæn/

Definitions

01a type of car

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a car with four doors and a separate space in the back for bags or luggage.

n. a passenger car in a three-box configuration with separate compartments for the engine, passenger cabin, and trunk.

“The family decided to buy a silver sedan because it had plenty of room for the kids.”

“While SUVs have gained market share, the fuel-efficient sedan remains a popular choice for commuters who prioritize a smooth highway ride.”

Usage

In British English, this type of vehicle is usually called a 'saloon'.

Teaching tip

Learners should be aware that 'sedan' is the standard term in North America and Australia, while 'saloon' is preferred in the UK.

Synonyms

saloon

Antonyms

hatchbackcoupe

02a carried chair

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic

n. an enclosed chair for one person that is carried on poles by two or more people.

n. an enclosed litter or windowed chair designed for a single occupant and carried by porters using horizontal poles.

“In the 1700s, wealthy people often traveled through narrow city streets in a sedan chair.”

“The museum's collection includes a beautifully preserved eighteenth-century sedan, complete with original silk lining and ornate gilded brackets.”

Usage

Usually appears as the compound 'sedan chair' in historical contexts.

Teaching tip

This sense is almost exclusively found in historical novels or museums; modern speakers will assume the car sense unless the context is clearly historical.

Synonyms

sedan chairlitter

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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