trolley
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a metal or plastic basket on wheels that you use to carry your groceries in a supermarket.
n.a large wheeled basket provided by a shop, especially a supermarket, for use by customers.
Simple“He filled his trolley with fresh vegetables and headed to the checkout.”
In context“Supermarkets often require a small deposit to release a trolley from the bay, ensuring that customers return them after loading their vehicles.”
UsageIn American English, this is almost exclusively called a 'shopping cart'.
Synonymsshopping cartbasket - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.an electric vehicle that travels on tracks in the street.
n.a passenger vehicle powered by overhead electric wires that runs on rails laid in city streets.
Simple“We took the trolley through the historic district to see the old buildings.”
In context“The city council voted to restore the vintage trolley line as a way to boost tourism in the downtown corridor.”
UsageCommonly refers to the vehicle itself in the US, whereas in the UK, 'tram' is the standard term.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a bed with wheels used to move patients in a hospital.
n.a wheeled stretcher or mobile bed used for transporting patients within a medical facility.
Simple“The nurses quickly pushed the trolley into the emergency room.”
In context“The patient remained on a trolley in the corridor for several hours due to the lack of available beds in the surgical ward.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
n.a small table on wheels used for serving food or carrying bags.
n.a small wheeled table or stand used for transporting and serving food, drinks, or luggage.
Simple“The flight attendant pushed the drinks trolley down the aisle of the plane.”
In context“The hotel porter loaded our heavy suitcases onto a brass trolley and led us toward the elevators.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move something or someone using a trolley.
v.to convey or transport an object or person by means of a trolley.
Simple“The staff will trolley your bags to your room shortly.”
In context“The orderlies were seen trolleying the equipment between the different laboratory wings throughout the afternoon.”
Early 19th century (1823) meaning "cart", of dialectal origin (Suffolk), probably from troll (“to trundle, roll”) + -ey (diminutive ending).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.