chariot

1 of 2

noun

char·​i·​ot ˈcher-ē-ət 

ˈcha-rē-

1

: a light four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage

2

: a two-wheeled horse-drawn battle car of ancient times used also in processions and races

chariot

2 of 2

verb

charioted; charioting; chariots

intransitive verb

: to drive or ride in or as if in a chariot

transitive verb

: to carry in or as if in a chariot

Examples of chariot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The small asteroid, which is more than 3 miles in diameter, approaches so close to the sun that it was named for the son of the sun-god Helios, who in Greek mythology lost control of his father's chariot and set the Earth ablaze. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

While Ben-Hur is revered for its spectacular chariot race scene, Heston’s performance as the titular Judah Ben-Hur is also lauded as one of his best. —Bryan Antunez, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2024

The deadly chariot race, a nearly 15-minute-long tour de force of practical effects and daring stunts, is one of the best action sequences ever filmed (if not the best). —James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024

These are hardly the first or most extensive finds at the site, which included the discovery of a miniature bronze chariot likely used for transporting a cultic statue just last year. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English chariot, chariette "wheeled vehicle for transporting people or things, vehicle used in warfare," borrowed from Anglo-French, "four-wheeled vehicle" (also continental Old French), from charier "to transport, carry entry 1" + -ot, noun suffix, here instrumental, going back to Vulgar Latin *-ottus, variant of Latin -ittus, diminutive suffix

Note: Other examples of -ot as an instrumental suffix are brûlot "fireship," cachot "prison cell."

Verb

derivative of chariot entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1550, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

chariot

noun

char·​i·​ot

ˈchar-ē-ət

: a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle of ancient times used in battle and also in races and parades