covered wagon

noun

1. a large wagon with a high, bonnetlike canvas top, especially such a wagon used by pioneers to transport themselves and their possessions across the North American plains during the westward migrations in the 19th century.
2. British Railroads. a boxcar.

covered wagon

noun

1. a large wagon with an arched canvas top, used formerly for prairie travel

covered wagon

1. A typical conveyance for settlers moving west with their belongings. It was drawn by horses or oxen and equipped with a canvas cover, often supported by hoops, to keep off rain.

Word History and Origins

Origin of covered wagon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45