rickshaw

or rick·sha

[ rik-shaw, -shah ]

noun

1. a small, two-wheeled, cartlike passenger vehicle with a fold-down top, pulled by one person, formerly used widely in Japan and China.
2. cycle rickshaw ( def ).

rickshaw

/ ˈrɪkʃɔː; ˈrɪkʃə /

noun

1. Also calledjinrikisha a small two-wheeled passenger vehicle drawn by one or two men, used in parts of Asia
2. Also calledtrishaw a similar vehicle with three wheels, propelled by a man pedalling as on a tricycle

Word History and Origins

Origin of rickshaw¹

First recorded in 1875–80; by contraction of jinrikisha ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of rickshaw¹

C19: shortened from jinrikisha

Example Sentences

Jones, dressed as her character Nessa, was seen in a rickshaw on Barry seafront in south Wales, with her co-star Joanna Page, as Stacey, in the back.

From BBC

“It was amazing - people of all ages and classes came out, from rickshaw pullers to high society people, there were families taking selfies with army officers. We were shouting and celebrating for a new Bangladesh.”

From BBC

“Inequality had grown so much in Bangladesh as political and economic elites had cosied up to the government. They were reaping so much benefit that what we saw was a class-based movement - students started it, but even rickshaw pullers and normal people joined it. We all felt enough is enough.”

From BBC

“We will have a beautiful future, God willing,” said Mahmoud Mustafa, a rickshaw driver clutching a plastic food bowl.

From New York Times

Satish Kumar, a 57-year-old rickshaw driver in the capital, said his work was suffering because of the heat.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• truck
• wagon