lorry

[ lawr-ee, lor-ee ]

noun

, plural lor·ries.

1. Chiefly British. a motor truck, especially a large one.
2. any of various conveyances running on rails, as for transporting material in a mine or factory.
3. a long, low, horse-drawn wagon without sides.

lorry

/ ˈlɒrɪ /

noun

1. a large motor vehicle designed to carry heavy loads, esp one with a flat platform US and Canadian nametruck See also articulated vehicle
2. off the back of a lorry informal.
   a phrase used humorously to imply that something has been dishonestly acquired

   it fell off the back of a lorry

3. any of various vehicles with a flat load-carrying surface, esp one designed to run on rails

Word History and Origins

Origin of lorry¹

First recorded in 1830–40; akin to dial. lurry to pull, drag, lug

Word History and Origins

Origin of lorry¹

C19: perhaps related to northern English dialect lurry to pull, tug

Example Sentences

Batteries thrown into household waste cause hundreds of fires in bin lorries and waste-processing centres every year.

From BBC

An excavator and four lorries loaded with boulders were seen arriving on site on Monday morning, ready for work to begin.

From BBC

On 16 November, a convoy of 109 lorries carrying food was attacked by masked men who held the drivers at gunpoint before stealing 97 of the lorries.

From BBC

When the daily food delivery lorry arrived he walked out of the kitchen and strapped himself under the truck, partially hidden from view by its tail lift mechanism.

From BBC

Farmers were seen driving alongside lorries in the Kent town with signs on tractors including “Stop Substandard Imports” and “No Farmers No Food No Future”.

From BBC

Related Words

• car
• crate
• freighter
• jeep
• pickup
• rig
• van
• wagon