tram

¹

[ tram ]

noun

1. British. a streetcar.
2. a tramway; tramroad.
3. Also called tram·car [tram, -kahr]. a truck or car on rails for carrying loads in a mine.
4. the vehicle or cage of an overhead carrier.

verb (used with or without object)

, trammed, tram·ming.

1. to convey or travel by tram.

tram

²

[ tram ]

noun

1. trammel ( def 3 ).

verb (used with object)

, trammed, tram·ming.

1. Machinery. to adjust (something) correctly.

tram

³

[ tram ]

noun

1. silk that has been slightly or loosely twisted, used weftwise in weaving silk fabrics.

tram

¹

/ træm /

noun

1. Also calledtramcar an electrically driven public transport vehicle that runs on rails let into the surface of the road, power usually being taken from an overhead wire US and Canadian namesstreetcartrolley car
2. a small vehicle on rails for carrying loads in a mine; tub

tram

²

/ træm /

noun

1. (in weaving) a weft yarn of two or more twisted strands of silk

tram

³

/ træm /

noun

1. machinery a fine adjustment that ensures correct function or alignment

verb

1. tr to adjust (a mechanism) to a fine degree of accuracy

Derived Forms

• ˈtramless, adjective

Other Words From

• tramless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tram¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; Middle English tram, tram(me) “mechanical device, astronomical instrument, siege tower”); 1820–30 tram ¹fordef 2; originally shafts of a barrow or cart, rails for carts (in mines); perhaps from Middle Dutch trame “beam”

Origin of tram²

First recorded in 1880–85; short for trammel

Origin of tram³

First recorded in 1670–80; from French trame “woof, weft, tram,” from Latin trāma “warp,” from trahere “to draw, drag”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tram¹

C16 (in the sense: shaft of a cart): probably from Low German traam beam; compare Old Norse thrömr , Middle Dutch traem beam, tooth of a rake

Origin of tram²

C17: from French trame , from Latin trāma ; related to Latin trāns across, trāmes footpath

Origin of tram³

C19: short for trammel

Example Sentences

Transport for Greater Manchester said they would be gritting bus stations and interchanges, and running trams overnight to keep overhead lines clear of frost.

From BBC

Unrest flared up again in the city on Monday evening when an empty tram was attacked.

From BBC

A publicity blitz about the programme saw loudspeaker vans and an illuminated tram car tour the city, aeroplane banner advertising and two specially-commissioned campaign songs broadcast at football matches.

From BBC

The size of the crowds caused a brief disruption to the Luas tram network, with parts of the Red and Green line services out of operation for about half an hour.

From BBC

The chancellor also pledged £1.3bn to improve transport connections, including cash to extend the West Midlands Metro and funding for the new West Yorkshire tram in Leeds and Bradford.

From BBC