choo-choo

American  

[choo-choo] / ˈtʃuˌtʃu /

noun

1. a train.

2. the sound of a steam locomotive.

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verb (used without object)

choo-chooed, choo-chooing

1. to make a sound like that made by a steam locomotive.

2. to travel by train.

choo-choo British  

/ ˈtʃuːˌtʃuː /

noun

1. a child's name for a railway train

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Etymology

Origin of choo-choo

First recorded in 1900–05; imitative

Example Sentences

Then, she is on her way, leading a "choo-choo train" formed by a line of delighted children, sprinkling humour, happiness and even a little hope, but not the real aid they so desperately need.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

That aforementioned tune about a choo-choo ride to oblivion, “Desert Train,” feels like perpetual acceleration, somehow evoking the hormonal itchiness of ’80s hair metal without exuding a molecule of cheeky wink-wink.

From Washington Post • Feb. 20, 2023

By stark contrast, no one these days runs screaming from a movie theater to escape certain ruin from the moving picture of an onrushing choo-choo.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2022

Ryan stands up and picks out a “Lego choo-choo train.”

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2022

When they were all doing the march-and-hop, they formed a train, hands on shoulders, and did a choo-choo or conga around the gym.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia