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

Example Sentences

I doubted Dryden would last very long in a covered wagon out on the prairie.

From BBC

The chef’s menu was inspired by the famous Ride to Rendezvous, a five-day Methow Valley horseback and covered wagon excursion by the Washington Outfitters and Guides every spring.

From Seattle Times

“That was such a hard time,” Girma gushes, as if Morgan, the most experienced player on the U.S. women’s World Cup team, rode to games in a covered wagon.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s not just a question of sending the covered wagons from East to West and killing people along the way in order to settle the continent, take half of Mexico as you go,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

“I said to somebody, ‘They think we’re coming over the Rockies in a covered wagon.’

From Seattle Times