English Reference
noun · verb

wagon

n. · v.
US /ˈwæɡən/ UK /wˈæɡən/ wag·on UK spelling waggon, wagoned, wagoning, wagons

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.a strong vehicle with four wheels, usually pulled by horses, used for carrying heavy things.

    n.a heavy four-wheeled vehicle, typically horse-drawn, designed for the transport of goods or agricultural produce.

    Simple

    The farmers loaded the hay onto the wooden wagon before the rain started.

    In context

    Historically, the heavy wagon served as the primary means of transporting freight across the rugged terrain of the frontier.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate British English

    n.a large vehicle used on a railway for carrying goods.

    n.a railway vehicle used for the conveyance of goods or minerals; in British English, specifically a freight car.

    Simple

    The long train consisted of twenty wagons filled with coal.

    In context

    The logistics company requested additional railway wagons to accommodate the surge in industrial exports scheduled for the third quarter.

    railcarfreight car
  3. 03 A2 Elementary American English

    n.a small vehicle with a long handle that a child can sit in or pull along.

    n.a child's four-wheeled toy vehicle with a handle for pulling and steering, often used for play or transporting small items.

    Simple

    The boy pulled his little red wagon filled with sand across the park.

    In context

    The toddler spent the afternoon hauling his stuffed animals around the garden in a sturdy plastic wagon.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate American EnglishInformal

    n.a type of car with a long body and a large space behind the back seats.

    n.an automobile body style with a full-height rear cargo area and a rear door; often shortened to 'wagon'.

    Simple

    We bought a wagon because we needed extra room for the dogs.

    In context

    Although SUVs have gained popularity, many families still prefer the handling and fuel efficiency of a traditional station wagon.

    estate car
  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalSlang

    n.a police van used for taking prisoners to jail.

    n.a police vehicle designed for the transport of detainees or prisoners.

    Simple

    The suspects were loaded into the wagon and driven to the station.

    In context

    Several police wagons were stationed at the perimeter of the protest to manage any potential arrests.

    paddy wagonpolice van
  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    v.to carry goods in a wagon.

    v.to transport or convey goods by means of a wagon; takes a direct object.

    Simple

    They spent the morning wagoning the harvested corn to the barn.

    In context

    The pioneers had to wagon all their earthly possessions across the mountain pass before the first snowfall.


Derived either as a synonym of Wain, i.e. Charles' Wain, or directly from the wagonlike shape of the constellation. Compare also the synonym Northern Waggoner. See wagon and wain.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated