semitrailer

noun

semi·​trail·​er ˈse-ˌmī-ˌtrā-lər How to pronounce semitrailer (audio)
ˈse-mē-,
-mi-
plural semitrailers
1
: a freight trailer that when attached is supported at its forward end by the fifth wheel device of the truck tractor
2
: a trucking rig made up of a tractor and a semitrailer

called also big rig

Examples of semitrailer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In that incident, the semitrailer was crossing the track when the train clipped the rear of the trailer, according to Avoca Fire Department Battalion Chief Jacob Davis. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024 The agency said all northbound lanes were open shortly before 6 p.m. ABC 7 in Chicago helicopter footage showed a large presence of emergency responders and apparently two semitrailers badly damaged and charred. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 According to an investigation and witness statements, a semitrailer in the middle lane collided with a pickup truck causing a reaction collision and traffic congestion. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2024 The agency had learned about a semitrailer coming across the Mexican border and agents tracked the drugs to the farmers market, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert Murphy. CBS News, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for semitrailer 

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semitrailer was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near semitrailer

Cite this Entry

“Semitrailer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semitrailer. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

semitrailer

noun
semi·​trail·​er ˈsem-i-ˌtrā-lər How to pronounce semitrailer (audio)
ˈsem-ˌī-
1
: a freight trailer that when attached is supported at its forward end by the truck tractor
2
: a trucking rig made up of a tractor and a semitrailer

More from Merriam-Webster on semitrailer

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