dray

[ drey ]

noun

1. a low, strong cart without fixed sides, for carrying heavy loads.
2. a sledge or sled.
3. any vehicle, as a truck, used to haul goods, especially one used to carry heavy loads.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey on a dray.

verb (used without object)

1. to drive or operate a dray, especially as an occupation.
2. to convey goods by dray, especially locally or for short distances.

dray

¹

/ dreɪ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of drey

dray

²

/ dreɪ /

noun

1. 1. a low cart without fixed sides, used for carrying heavy loads
   2. ( in combination )

      a drayman

2. any other vehicle or sledge used to carry a heavy load

Word History and Origins

Origin of dray¹

1325–75; Middle English draye sledge; compare Old English draeg- (in drægnet dragnet), akin to dragan to draw

Word History and Origins

Origin of dray¹

Old English dræge dragnet; related to Old Norse draga load of timber carried on horseback and trailing on the ground; see draw

Example Sentences

As dozens of ships sat at anchor miles off the coast, awaiting their chance to unload, dray operators like Mr. Jackson idled for hours on land before they could enter port gates.

From New York Times

It was a wagon hauled by two old dray mares.

From Literature

He ’elped me to lift the boxes and put them in the dray.

From Literature

Part of that effort is the Port of Seattle’s ongoing installation of shore power, having charging infrastructure for dray trucks and working to accommodate sustainable aviation fuels at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

From Seattle Times

In 1923, McAllister died and left his possessions, which included a little house on Franklin Street and a dray, a cart that he used to handle luggage, to Fuller.

From Washington Times