truck

¹

[ truhk ]

noun

1. any of various forms of vehicle for carrying goods and materials, usually consisting of a single self-propelled unit but also often composed of a trailer vehicle hauled by a tractor unit.
2. any of various wheeled frames used for transporting heavy objects.
3. Also called hand truck. a barrowlike frame with low wheels, a ledge at the bottom, and handles at the top, used to move heavy luggage, packages, cartons, etc.
4. a low, rectangular frame on which heavy boxes, crates, trunks, etc., are moved; a dolly.
5. a tiered framework on casters.
6. a group of two or more pairs of wheels in one frame, for supporting one end of a railroad car, locomotive, etc.
7. Movies. a dolly on which a camera is mounted.
8. British. a freight car having no top.
9. a small wooden wheel, cylinder, or roller, as on certain old-style gun carriages.
10. Nautical. a circular or square piece of wood fixed on the head of a mast or the top of a flagstaff, usually containing small holes for signal halyards.

verb (used with object)

1. to transport by truck.
2. to put on a truck.
3. Movies. dolly ( def 11 ).

verb (used without object)

1. to convey articles or goods on a truck.
2. to drive a truck.
3. Movies. dolly ( def 12 ).

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for a truck or trucks:

   a truck drive; truck tires.

truck

²

[ truhk ]

noun

1. vegetables raised for the market.
2. miscellaneous articles of little worth; odds and ends.
3. Informal. trash or rubbish:

   That's a lot of truck.

4. Informal. dealings:

   I'll have no truck with him.

5. barter.
6. a bargain or deal.
7. the payment of wages in goods instead of money.
8. truck system.

verb (used with object)

1. to exchange; barter; trade.

verb (used without object)

1. to exchange commodities; barter.
2. to traffic; have dealings.

truck

³

[ truhk ]

noun

1. a shuffling jitterbug step.

verb (used without object)

1. to dance with such steps.
2. Slang. to walk or stroll, especially in a jaunty manner:

   trucking down the avenue on a Sunday afternoon.

truck

¹

/ trʌk /

noun

1. a vehicle for carrying freight on a railway; wagon
2. a large motor vehicle designed to carry heavy loads, esp one with a flat platform Also called (esp in Britain)lorry
3. a frame carrying two or more pairs of wheels and usually springs and brakes, attached under an end of a railway coach, etc
4. nautical
   1. a disc-shaped block fixed to the head of a mast having sheave holes for receiving signal halyards
   2. the head of a mast itself
5. any wheeled vehicle used to move goods

verb

1. to convey (goods) in a truck
2. intr to drive a truck

truck

²

/ trʌk /

noun

1. commercial goods
2. dealings (esp in the phrase have no truck with )
3. commercial exchange
4. archaic.
   payment of wages in kind
5. miscellaneous articles
6. informal.
   rubbish
7. vegetables grown for market

verb

1. archaic.
   to exchange (goods); barter
2. intr to traffic or negotiate

Other Words From

• trucka·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of truck¹

First recorded in 1605–15; back formation from truckle “wheel”; truckle

Origin of truck²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English truken, trukien “to exchange,” from Old French troquer, trochier “to exchange” and Medieval Latin trocāre “to barter”; further origin unknown

Origin of truck³

First recorded in 1935–40; special use of truck ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of truck¹

C17: perhaps shortened from truckle ²

Origin of truck²

C13: from Old French troquer (unattested) to barter, equivalent to Medieval Latin trocare , of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see have no truck with .

Example Sentences

During a brazen Valentine’s Day heist of an armored truck in Hawthorne, the robber kept his face covered.

From Los Angeles Times

The 57-year-old was driving a bin lorry down a country road when another truck collided with his vehicle.

From BBC

“Such responsibilities continue when trucks enter the Gaza Strip, until people are reached with essential assistance.”

From BBC

A pick-up truck and quad bike were stolen from the farm and no arrests have been made so far, according to the police.

From BBC

Photos and videos from the scene showed crews working in a parking area alongside the track, where a pickup truck and other vehicles appeared damaged.

From Los Angeles Times