caravan

[kar-uh-van]

noun

1. a group of travelers, as merchants or pilgrims, journeying together for safety in passing through deserts, hostile territory, etc.

   Synonyms: band, cavalcade, train, procession, parade

2. any group traveling in or as if in a caravan and using a specific mode of transportation, as pack animals or motor vehicles.

   a caravan of trucks; a camel caravan.

3. a large covered vehicle for conveying passengers, goods, a sideshow, etc.; van.

4. Chiefly British.,  a house on wheels; trailer.

verb (used with object)

caravaned, caravanned, caravaning, caravanning. 

1. to carry in or as if in a caravan.

   Trucks caravaned food and medical supplies to the flood's survivors.

verb (used without object)

caravaned, caravanned, caravaning, caravanning. 

1. to travel in or as if in a caravan.

   They caravaned through Egypt.

caravan

/ ˈkærəˌvæn /

noun

1. 1. US and Canadian name: trailer. a large enclosed vehicle capable of being pulled by a car or lorry and equipped to be lived in

   2. ( as modifier )

      a caravan site

2. (esp in some parts of Asia and Africa) a company of traders or other travellers journeying together, often with a train of camels, through the desert

3. a group of wagons, pack mules, camels, etc, esp travelling in single file

4. a large covered vehicle, esp a gaily coloured one used by Romany Gypsies, circuses, etc

verb

1. (intr) to travel or have a holiday in a caravan

Other Word Forms

• caravanist noun
• caravanning noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of caravan¹

1590–1600; earlier carovan < Italian carovana < Persian kārwān

Word History and Origins

Origin of caravan¹

C16: from Italian caravana, from Persian kārwān

Example Sentences

"That need for stability applies equally to travelling showpeople who live in chalets and caravans in accordance with their cultural heritage."

From BBC

Holed up in the caravan park her family owns, Emily White's voice choked up as she explained her fear and surprise.

From BBC

"We would sometimes book a caravan somewhere when that happened," Shona says, "just to have power".

From BBC

"Our vision is to create the UK's first caravan and camping park exclusively for families with neurodiverse and autistic members here in north Wales."

From BBC

This, he said, would make it easier to carry out traffic enforcement actions on parked caravans that are not attached to a towing vehicle.

From BBC

Related Words

• cavalcade 
• convoy 
• expedition 
• procession