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

A credible if sparsely sketched camaraderie emerges among members of the caravan, with young Esteban in awe of these reckless wanderers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

You feel the exhilaration of veering off the path, the self-exile of speeding toward nowhere, the dread that this caravan has veered too far for its own safety.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Now, the rumor was that Bovino was cruising around with a caravan.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For reasons that remain unexplained, the contract itself was with Alphabet Capital, a British company whose owner, Adrian Gleave, ran a number of caravan and holiday parks.

Read more on BBC

Jordan: Yes as I went from such a young age and we would stay in motorhomes and caravans at the racetrack as kids and it was mint.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cavalcade 
• convoy 
• expedition 
• procession