Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specialized vehicle used for moving disabled, improperly parked, impounded, or otherwise indisposed motor vehicles: A tow truck is a truck equipped with mechanisms to lift, secure, and transport other vehicles, typically cars.

Usage

• The primary function of a tow truck is to recover or relocate vehicles. It is commonly called by drivers, law enforcement, or property owners when a vehicle is broken down, illegally parked, or involved in an accident.
• It is a compound noun. The term "tow" refers to the act of pulling, and "truck" specifies the type of vehicle.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I had a flat tire on the highway and had to call for a tow truck.
  • The city uses tow trucks to remove cars parked in front of fire hydrants.
  • After the collision, two tow trucks arrived to clear the wreckage from the road.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on the hook for a tow truck": To be responsible for paying the fee charged by a towing service.
  • If you park here, you'll be on the hook for a tow truck and a hefty fine.

Variants and Related Words

• Wrecker (n): A synonym for tow truck, especially in American English.
  • The wrecker arrived quickly to haul away the damaged car.
• Recovery vehicle (n): A more formal term, often used for larger trucks that recover heavy vehicles.
• Flatbed tow truck (n): A specific type of tow truck where the entire vehicle is lifted onto a flat platform for transport.
• Hook and chain tow truck (n): An older type of tow truck that uses a chain, now less common due to potential vehicle damage.

Synonyms

• Breakdown lorry: (Chiefly British English)
• Wrecker

Related Phrases

• To call a tow truck: To contact a towing service for assistance.
  • My battery died, so I had to call a tow truck.
• To get towed: To have one's vehicle removed by a tow truck.
  • My car got towed because I was in a tow-away zone.

Noun

1. a truck equipped to hoist and pull wrecked cars (or to remove cars from no-parking zones)