Definition

Noun: 1. A community outreach service: A service, traditionally involving a wheeled vehicle but now often a person or group, that visits new residents in an area. Its purpose is to provide them with welcoming gifts, helpful information about local services and merchants, and to foster a sense of community. 2. A metaphorical welcome: The term can also refer to a warm, informative, and generous reception given to a newcomer in any context, not just residential.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The local welcome wagon stopped by with a basket of coupons and a map of the town.
  • Moving to a small town, we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from the welcome wagon.
  • The new employee received a welcome wagon of company swag and an orientation packet on her first day. (Metaphorical use)

Advanced Usage

• "to get the welcome wagon treatment": To receive a particularly thorough or enthusiastic welcome.
  • As the new manager, she really got the welcome wagon treatment from the entire department.

Variants and Related Words

• Welcome Wagon®: A specific, historic American company that pioneered this service. The term is sometimes used generically.
• Greeter: A person who performs a similar welcoming function.
• Orientation package: A modern, non-metaphorical term for a collection of information given to newcomers.

Synonyms

• Greeting committee
• Introductory service
• Community greeting

Related Idioms

• "Roll out the welcome wagon": To prepare an enthusiastic and elaborate welcome for someone.
  • When the CEO visits our branch, we need to roll out the welcome wagon.

Noun

1. a wheeled vehicle carrying information and gifts from local merchants for new residents in an area