Pullman

¹ American  

[pool-muhn] / ˈpʊl mən /

Trademark.

plural

Pullmans

1. a railroad sleeping car or parlor car.

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noun

plural

Pullmans

1. Also called Pullman case.  (often lowercase) a large suitcase.

2. George Mortimer, 1831–97, U.S. inventor and railroad car designer.

Pullman ² American  

[pool-muhn] / ˈpʊl mən /

noun

1. a city in SE Washington.

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Pullman ¹ British  

/ ˈpʊlmən /

noun

1. Also called: Pullman car.  a luxurious railway coach, esp a sleeping car

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Pullman ² British  

/ ˈpʃulmən /

noun

1. Philip . born 1946, British author. Writing primarily for older children, he is best known for the fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials (1997–2000)

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Etymology

Origin of Pullman

C19: named after George M. Pullman (1831–97), the US inventor who first manufactured such coaches

Example Sentences

Innovators and entrepreneurs such as Ford and George Pullman, discussed on visits to Detroit and Chicago, respectively, figure mainly as exploiters of the working class.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

To maintain a meritocracy, a business must hold on to key employees, says Pullman & Comley, a law firm based in Connecticut.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

Architect Alan Pullman and his family recently bought and renovated a 1940 Long Beach house by Raphael Soriano, who had worked for Richard Neutra and was a leading figure in Southern California midcentury modernism.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

None come close to the impact of Brian Pullman.

From BBC • Sep. 30, 2025

My great-uncle Terry, Robbie’s husband, had abandoned a career as a plumber for the same reason, instead becoming a Pullman porter.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama