tank car

noun

1. Railroads. a car containing one or more tanks for the transportation of liquids, gases, or granular solids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tank car¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

But the people who made the decision to blow open those tank cars said they were never told what OxyVinyls’ experts determined.

From Seattle Times

The decision issued Wednesday threw out the railroad’s claim that the companies that made chemicals that spilled and owned tank cars that ruptured should share the cost of the cleanup.

From Seattle Times

Drew McCarty with Specialized Professional Services testified last spring that the tank car “frankly scared the hell out of us.”

From Seattle Times

A few days later, officials decided to blow open five tank cars of vinyl chloride, which is used to make plastic, and burn the chemical because they worried the cars might explode.

From Seattle Times

The move — intended to keep the tank cars from exploding — sent a plume of burning chemicals over the town.

From Seattle Times