trundle

1 of 2

verb

trun·​dle ˈtrən-dᵊl How to pronounce trundle (audio)
trundled; trundling
ˈtrən(d)-liŋ,
ˈtrən-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce trundle (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to propel by causing to rotate : roll
a … child who was trundling a hoopCharles Dickens
b
archaic : to cause to revolve : spin
2
: to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul, wheel
trundled him off to school

intransitive verb

1
: to progress by revolving
2
: to move on or as if on wheels : roll
buses trundling through the city
trundler
ˈtrən(d)-lər
ˈtrən-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce trundle (audio)
noun

trundle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the motion or sound of something rolling
2
3
: a round or oval wooden tub

Examples of trundle in a Sentence

Verb She trundled her suitcase into the room. The children trundled off to bed.
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.
Verb
Over 26 hours and 800 miles, this train trundles to the eastern city of Kars along the border with Armenia, unveiling the geographical marvels and dramatic vistas of Turkey's Anatolian provinces. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2024 Instead, the book just keeps going, trundling through the years. Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024
Noun
But gone are the trundle suitcases stacked to the tops of the automotive workhorses and tied together with rope. James Raia, The Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2024 Ray notes that trundles and bunks are well-suited for children’s bedrooms or guest rooms. Jenna Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for trundle 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

from trundle small wheel, alteration of earlier trendle, from Middle English, circle, ring, wheel, from Old English trendel; akin to Old English trendan to revolve — more at trend entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trundle was circa 1598

Dictionary Entries Near trundle

Cite this Entry

“Trundle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trundle. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

trundle

verb
trun·​dle
ˈtrən-dᵊl
trundled; trundling
ˈtrən-dliŋ,
-dᵊl-iŋ
1
: to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul
trundled her off to school
2
: to move on or as if on wheels
buses trundling through the city

More from Merriam-Webster on trundle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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