tram
tram
Tram (noun) means a passenger vehicle that runs on tracks laid into a city street. Example: “We took the tram into the city centre.”
noun
1
A passenger vehicle that runs on tracks laid into a city street.
"We took the tram into the city centre."
"The tram stops right outside the museum."
verb
1
To travel by tram.
"They trammed across town to save on parking."
How to use tram
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA streetcar that runs on rails through city streets (called a "streetcar" or "trolley" in North America).
UK vs US
British English "tram" corresponds to American English "streetcar" or "trolley."
Common pairings
catch a tram
tram stop
tram line
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Word forms
- Plural
- trams
- Third person singular
- trams
- Past tense
- trammed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We took the _____ into the city centre.
Etymology
From Scots, probably from Low German traam ("shaft, beam"); the rail-vehicle sense grew out of "tramway," originally a log-covered road later used for horse-drawn coal carts called trams.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tram
See all rhymes for tram →Frequently asked questions
What does “tram” mean?
The word “tram” means a passenger vehicle that runs on tracks laid into a city street. In plain terms, a streetcar that runs on rails through city streets (called a "streetcar" or "trolley" in North America).
How do you pronounce “tram”?
“Tram” is pronounced tram (/tɹæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “tram” in a sentence?
Here is “tram” used in a sentence: “We took the tram into the city centre.”
What part of speech is “tram”?
Depending on how it is used, “tram” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tram” come from?
The word “tram” comes from German. From Scots, probably from Low German traam ("shaft, beam"); the rail-vehicle sense grew out of "tramway," originally a log-covered road later used for horse-drawn coal carts called trams.
Is “tram” a common word?
“Tram” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “tram” have?
“Tram” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a passenger vehicle that runs on tracks laid into a city street.
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