Cart: meaning, definitions and examples

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cart

 

[ kɑːt ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

online shopping

A virtual shopping cart used in online shopping to store items before purchase. It allows users to browse products, add or remove items, and proceed to checkout.

Synonyms

basket, shopping basket, shopping trolley.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cart

Refers to a small, wheeled vehicle that one pushes in a supermarket or store to collect and purchase items.

  • She filled the cart with groceries before heading to the checkout.
  • The wheels on the cart were squeaky and hard to push.
shopping basket

A lightweight, handheld basket used for carrying items while shopping, especially in a store. It’s suitable for a smaller number of items.

  • He picked up a shopping basket as he entered the store.
  • With just a few items to buy, she chose a shopping basket instead of a cart.
shopping trolley

Commonly used in British English to refer to a wheeled cart used for carrying goods while shopping. It's equivalent to 'shopping cart' in American English.

  • She pushed the shopping trolley down the aisles, searching for her groceries.
  • The shopping trolley was heavy with food and household items.
basket

Typically used to describe a container made of woven material, generally used for carrying or storing items. It’s ideal for smaller, lighter items.

  • She carried the apples in a wicker basket.
  • Please put the dirty laundry in the laundry basket.

Examples of usage

  • Add the selected items to your cart before proceeding to payment.
  • The cart automatically updates with the total cost as you shop.
Context #2 | Noun

transportation

A vehicle with two or four wheels that is typically pulled by an animal such as a horse or ox. Carts are used for transporting goods or people over short distances.

Synonyms

buggy, carriage, wagon.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cart

Frequently used to describe a simple open vehicle with two or four wheels used for carrying loads, often pulled by animals or a person.

  • The farmer loaded the hay onto the cart
  • Street vendors often use a cart to sell their goods
wagon

Generally refers to a four-wheeled vehicle for transporting heavy loads, especially in farming or pioneering contexts.

  • They packed their belongings into a covered wagon for the journey west
  • Children love to pull their toys in a little red wagon
carriage

Typically used to describe a horse-drawn vehicle, particularly for formal occasions or historical contexts.

  • The bride arrived in a beautifully decorated carriage
  • In the 19th century, carriages were a common mode of transportation
buggy

Often refers to a lightweight stroller for babies or a small car for recreational off-road use.

  • We bought a new buggy for our baby
  • They went for a ride in their dune buggy on the beach

Examples of usage

  • The farmer loaded the cart with hay and pulled it to the barn.
  • The children enjoyed a ride in the horse-drawn cart.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To carry or transport something using a cart or similar vehicle. It can also mean to push a shopping cart in a store while selecting items to purchase.

Synonyms

carry, haul, transport.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cart

This word refers specifically to moving items using a vehicle with wheels, like a shopping cart or a wagon. Often used when talking about a simple, manual means of transport.

  • She used a cart to move the groceries from the car to the house.
  • Farmers often use carts to transport vegetables to the market.
haul

This word suggests moving a large, heavy load, often requiring significant effort or the use of machinery. It has a connotation of considerable labor.

  • The workers had to haul the crates onto the truck.
  • He spent the afternoon hauling debris from the yard.
transport

A more formal term that generally refers to moving people or goods from one place to another, especially over long distances or for commercial purposes.

  • The company uses large trucks to transport goods across the country.
  • Public transport is essential for city commuting.
carry

This verb implies moving something by lifting and holding in hands, arms, or on your back. It can refer to both small and large items but emphasizes personal effort.

  • He had to carry the heavy boxes up the stairs.
  • She carried the baby gently in her arms.

Examples of usage

  • We need to cart these boxes to the storage room.
  • She carted her groceries around the supermarket.

Translations

Translations of the word "cart" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carrinho

🇮🇳 गाड़ी

🇩🇪 Wagen

🇮🇩 kereta dorong

🇺🇦 візок

🇵🇱 wózek

🇯🇵 カート

🇫🇷 chariot

🇪🇸 carro

🇹🇷 araba

🇰🇷 카트

🇸🇦 عربة

🇨🇿 vozík

🇸🇰 vozík

🇨🇳 手推车

🇸🇮 voziček

🇮🇸 kerra

🇰🇿 арба

🇬🇪 მანქანა

🇦🇿 araba

🇲🇽 carro

Etymology

The word 'cart' originated from the Old English word 'cræt', which meant a two-wheeled wagon. Throughout history, carts have been essential for transportation of goods and people. In the modern era, the term 'cart' has evolved to also refer to virtual shopping carts used in online shopping.

See also: cartel, cartology, carton, cartoon, cartwheel.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,202 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.