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)

, car·a·vaned or car·a·vanned, car·a·van·ing or car·a·van·ning.

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)

, car·a·vaned or car·a·vanned, car·a·van·ing or car·a·van·ning.

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

   They caravaned through Egypt.

caravan

/ ˈkærəˌvæn /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcaraˌvanning, noun

Other Words From

• cara·vanist 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

Mr Potter said a nearby caravan park and the local pub had also had to break the bad news to dozens of disappointed visitors.

From BBC

North Yorkshire Police confirmed it had received a report of the scam from the owner of a nearby caravan and glamping site, which it had referred to Action Fraud.

From BBC

Some victims believed he had property abroad, fancy cars, a log cabin in the Lake District or a caravan near Blackpool.

From BBC

This week, more than 2,000 migrants launched a northbound “caravan” from Mexico’s southern city of Tapachula.

From Los Angeles Times

It's been nearly 20 years since she was last seen at a party at a caravan park in Ballyhalbert, County Down.

From BBC

Related Words

• cavalcade
• convoy
• expedition
• procession