Slang dictionary
4×4
or 4 4 [fohr-bahy-fohr]
What does 4x4 mean?
4×4 refers to “four-wheel drive” or a vehicle so fitted with the technology.
Where does 4×4 come from?
4×4, or “four-wheel drive,” is a feature of certain vehicles where all four wheels turn at the same speed while driving. It can also be used as a noun to describe a vehicle with four-wheel drive.
The first 4×4 vehicles were tractors produced in the late 19th century. Between 1900–1910, the first 4×4 car, the Spyker, was created, and the first 4×4 trucks were sold by Caldwell Vale. Use of the term 4×4 to describe four-wheel drive traces back to 1937.
One of the leading 4×4 vehicles is the Jeep, first used in the military in the 1940s and manufactured for recreation in the 1950s. 4x4s have remained popular in recent years due to the popularity of “off-roading,” or driving on rough and unpaved roadways. Four-wheel drive allows for greater steering control, and so SUVs, Jeeps, and other vehicles created specifically for off-roading feature 4×4.
They are also popular among families for their safety and in regions with more inclement weather for their handling.
Examples of 4×4
Who uses 4×4?
4×4 is commonly used in both technical and general discussion with the names of cars, trucks, and other off-road vehicles.
The term is not to be confused with 4×4-sized wood, 4×4 races in track and field, or 4-wheelers, a type of all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of 4×4 like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of 4×4 that will help our users expand their word mastery.