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

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

Police were made aware of his whereabouts when a family member told them they had let him stay overnight in their caravan.

From BBC

In the Los Angeles area, weekend caravans typically meet at dawn on a Saturday for a drive that takes hours and return late the following night.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cavalcade
• convoy
• expedition
• procession