Definition

Noun: A very large motor vehicle used for transporting goods over long distances. It consists of two main, separable parts: a powerful front section called the tractor (which contains the engine and driver's cab) and one or more rear sections called trailers (which carry the cargo). The tractor pulls the trailer(s).

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The highway was temporarily closed after a trailer truck overturned.
  • He drives a trailer truck across the country, delivering manufactured goods.
  • The company added ten new trailer trucks to its fleet for the holiday season.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in logistics, transportation, and traffic reporting contexts.
• It emphasizes the complete, connected vehicle unit (tractor + trailer) when it is in operation on the road.

Variants and Related Words

• Articulated lorry (chiefly British English): The British term for a trailer truck.
• Semi-truck or semi (common in American English): A shortened, informal term. ("Semi" is short for "semi-trailer truck," referring to the type of trailer that is partially supported by the tractor).
• Tractor-trailer: A synonym frequently used in official and technical contexts.
• Big rig: A colloquial American term.
• Lorry (British English): A general term for a truck; a "trailer truck" is a specific type of lorry.
• Hauler or Freightliner: Can refer to the truck or the company operating it.

Synonyms

• Tractor-trailer
• Semi-trailer truck
• Articulated lorry (UK)
• Rig
• Transport truck

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Trailer truck driver: The person who operates the vehicle.
  • Trailer truck drivers must have a special commercial driver's license.
• Trailer truck accident/crash: A common phrase in news reports about collisions involving these large vehicles.
• Trailer truck parking: Refers to designated parking areas for these vehicles, often at rest stops or truck stops.

Noun

1. a truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together