Streetcar: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
streetcar
[ หstriหtหkษหr ]
public transportation
A streetcar is a public transportation vehicle that runs on tracks laid along public streets, typically powered by electricity. Streetcars are commonly used in cities to transport passengers from one point to another.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| streetcar |
Commonly used in North American English to refer to urban rail vehicles that run on city streets. Streetcars are typically used for shorter urban routes.
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| tram |
More commonly used in British English and other parts of the Commonwealth. Trams are similar to streetcars and typically operate within city streets.
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| trolley |
In American English, 'trolley' can refer to a streetcar but is also used to describe buses that are powered by overhead electric wires. This term is often associated with a nostalgic or tourist experience.
|
| light rail |
Used to describe a specific type of urban public transportation that operates on a dedicated track. Light rail systems are usually faster and can carry more passengers than streetcars.
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Examples of usage
- I took the streetcar to work this morning.
- The streetcar was crowded during rush hour.
play
In the world of theatre, a streetcar is also the title of a famous play written by Tennessee Williams. The play explores themes of desire, reality, and illusion through the lives of its characters.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| streetcar |
Used primarily in North America, especially in Canada and some parts of the United States, to refer to a vehicle that runs on tracks in urban streets.
|
| tram |
Commonly used in the United Kingdom, Australia, and many European countries. It refers to the same type of public transportation as a streetcar but is more widely recognized internationally.
|
| trolley |
Mostly used in the United States, typically in the context of older or historic systems. It can also refer to buses powered by overhead electric wires.
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Examples of usage
- Many students study 'A Streetcar Named Desire' in their literature classes.
- The streetcar scene in the play is iconic.
Translations
Translations of the word "streetcar" in other languages:
๐ต๐น bonde
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคฐเคพเคฎ
๐ฉ๐ช Straรenbahn
๐ฎ๐ฉ trem
๐บ๐ฆ ััะฐะผะฒะฐะน
๐ต๐ฑ tramwaj
๐ฏ๐ต ่ทฏ้ข้ป่ป
๐ซ๐ท tramway
๐ช๐ธ tranvรญa
๐น๐ท tramvay
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ์ฐจ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชุฑุงู
๐จ๐ฟ tramvaj
๐ธ๐ฐ elektriฤka
๐จ๐ณ ็ต่ฝฆ
๐ธ๐ฎ tramvaj
๐ฎ๐ธ sporvagn
๐ฐ๐ฟ ััะฐะผะฒะฐะน
๐ฌ๐ช แขแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ tramvay
๐ฒ๐ฝ tranvรญa
Etymology
The term 'streetcar' originated in the United States in the early 19th century. Initially, streetcars were horse-drawn vehicles that ran on rails embedded in streets. With advancements in technology, electric streetcars became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing efficient urban transportation. The word 'streetcar' combines 'street' and 'car', reflecting its mode of operation along city streets.
See also: backstreet, street.