# sedan

/səˈdæn/ (US) · /sɪdˈæn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sedan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a type of car

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a carried chair

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- They bought a new silver sedan.
- The family chose a sedan for its comfortable seating and large trunk space.
- Despite the rising popularity of SUVs, the sedan remains a staple of urban commuting due to its superior fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

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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.