Black Maria

[ muh-rahy-uh ]

noun

1. patrol wagon.

Black Maria

/ məˈraɪə /

noun

1. a police van for transporting prisoners

Word History and Origins

Origin of Black Maria¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

The Black Maria, also called "the Dog House," was the first movie studio ever constructed.

From Salon

In 1893, inventor Thomas Edison completed work on the world’s first motion picture studio, his “Black Maria,” in West Orange, New Jersey.

From Washington Times

I recommend “The Black Maria VIII” by Girmay, Brown’s “Duplex” that begins “I begin with love”; and “Ice Storm,” by Hayden.

From New York Times

‘The police come in and taken him to the jail in the Black Maria. He still locked up.’

From Literature

Ferguson’s Gang, as they called themselves, were masked, anonymous activists who went by codenames such as Bill Stickers, Granny the Throttler, Black Maria and Red Biddy.

From The Guardian