cable car

noun

: a vehicle moved by an endless cable:

a

: one suspended from an overhead cable

b

: one that moves along tracks

Examples of cable car in a Sentence

The skiers took a cable car to the top of the mountain.

Tourists packed the cable cars on the hilly streets of San Francisco.

Recent Examples on the Web

There's also the Whirlpool Aero Car, a cable car which travels high in the sky to offer an unparalleled view of the Niagara Falls Whirlpool, and the Gray Line Boat Tours which venture out on the water, perfect for those who aren't afraid of getting a little wet. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026

One person died Wednesday when a cable car cabin at a Swiss ski resort fell and crashed on a snowy mountainside. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Engelberg, Switzerland Reuters — One person has died after a cable car cabin at a Swiss ski resort crashed down a snowy mountainside during strong winds on Wednesday. —Reuters 22 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026

The era of Chicago cable cars began on State Street. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cable car

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar

Kids Definition

cable car

noun

: a car moved on tracks by an endless cable or along an overhead cable