# trolley

/ˈtɹɑɫi/ (US) · /tɹˈɒli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. shopping cart

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a metal or plastic basket on wheels that you use to carry your groceries in a supermarket.

For teachers: a large wheeled basket provided by a shop, especially a supermarket, for use by customers.

- He filled his trolley with fresh vegetables and headed to the checkout.
- Supermarkets often require a small deposit to release a trolley from the bay, ensuring that customers return them after loading their vehicles.

Usage: In American English, this is almost exclusively called a 'shopping cart'.

### 2. streetcar or tram

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

an electric vehicle that travels on tracks in the street.

For teachers: a passenger vehicle powered by overhead electric wires that runs on rails laid in city streets.

- We took the trolley through the historic district to see the old buildings.
- The city council voted to restore the vintage trolley line as a way to boost tourism in the downtown corridor.

Usage: Commonly refers to the vehicle itself in the US, whereas in the UK, 'tram' is the standard term.

### 3. hospital bed or stretcher

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a bed with wheels used to move patients in a hospital.

For teachers: a wheeled stretcher or mobile bed used for transporting patients within a medical facility.

- The nurses quickly pushed the trolley into the emergency room.
- The patient remained on a trolley in the corridor for several hours due to the lack of available beds in the surgical ward.

### 4. serving or luggage cart

noun · CEFR B1

a small table on wheels used for serving food or carrying bags.

For teachers: a small wheeled table or stand used for transporting and serving food, drinks, or luggage.

- The flight attendant pushed the drinks trolley down the aisle of the plane.
- The hotel porter loaded our heavy suitcases onto a brass trolley and led us toward the elevators.

### 5. to transport by cart

verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to move something or someone using a trolley.

For teachers: to convey or transport an object or person by means of a trolley.

- The staff will trolley your bags to your room shortly.
- The orderlies were seen trolleying the equipment between the different laboratory wings throughout the afternoon.

## Examples

- I filled the trolley with groceries for the week.
- The supermarket provides several rows of trolleys near the entrance for customers to use.
- The flight attendant pushed the heavy refreshment trolley down the narrow aisle, offering coffee and snacks to the passengers.

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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.