truck
truck
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "truck" is /trʌk/.
/trʌk/
Word Form Variations
Noun: truck (singular), trucks (plural)
Verb: truck (base form), trucks (third person singular present), trucking (present participle), trucked (past simple, past participle)
Adjective: truck (used attributively, e.g., "truck stop," "truck driver")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A large, heavy motor vehicle used for transporting goods or materials.
Synonyms: lorry (British English), hauler, rig (informal, especially for large semi-trucks), goods vehicle, wagon
Antonyms: car, sedan, motorcycle, bicycle (as lighter, passenger vehicles)
Definition 2: An open, flat vehicle without sides, used for transporting goods, often pulled by another vehicle or moved by hand.
Synonyms: cart, trolley, dolly, flatbed (if motorized), handcart
Antonyms: closed container, box, crate (as storage unit)
Definition 3: (Informal, often capitalized 'Truck') A common term for a pickup truck.
Synonyms: pickup, utility vehicle (SUV, if related)
Antonyms: sedan, hatchback, compact car
Definition 4: (Archaic/Informal) Rubbish; worthless articles; trash.
Synonyms: rubbish, trash, junk, refuse, garbage
Antonyms: treasure, valuables, essentials, necessities
Definition 5: (Archaic) Barter or exchange.
Synonyms: barter, exchange, trade, swap
Antonyms: purchase, buy, sell
Verb
Definition 1: To transport (goods or materials) by truck.
Synonyms: haul, transport, convey, carry, deliver, ship
Antonyms: receive, unload, offload, unpack
Definition 2: (Informal) To move or go along, especially in a determined or heavy-footed manner.
Synonyms: lumber, trudge, plod, stride, make headway
Antonyms: glide, skip, tiptoe, drift, float
Definition 3: (Slang, often "to truck with") To associate or deal with (someone/something).
Synonyms: associate with, deal with, cooperate with, fraternize with
Antonyms: avoid, shun, ignore, disassociate from
Definition 4: (Archaic) To barter or exchange goods.
Synonyms: barter, trade, exchange, swap
Antonyms: buy, sell, purchase
Examples of Use
Books:
"The dusty old pickup truck rattled down the unpaved road, carrying a load of fresh produce to the market." (Fictional example from a rural novel or family saga)
"The book details the logistical challenges of trucking goods across vast distances in remote regions." (From a non-fiction book on supply chain management or geography)
"He spent his childhood playing with his favorite toy truck, imagining long journeys across distant lands." (Fictional example from a children's book or nostalgic memoir)
Newspapers:
"A new report highlights the vital role of trucks in distributing essential goods across Kenya." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"Police intercepted a stolen fuel truck attempting to cross the border, recovering thousands of liters of fuel." ("Daily Nation,")
"The county government announced new regulations for heavy-duty trucks to reduce road damage and improve safety." ("The Standard,")
Online Publications:
"Our ultimate guide to choosing the best electric pickup truck for your business needs." (An article on an automotive review site, e.g., Car and Driver Online)
"How to become a long-haul truck driver: A career guide with salary expectations." (An article on a job search or career advice website, e.g., Indeed.com)
"The new logistics software helps companies optimize their trucking routes for efficiency and cost savings." (A tech review on "TechCrunch,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Optimus Prime is a Peterbilt 379 semi-truck in his vehicle mode." (Transformers, 2007) - Refers to a specific type of "truck."
Television Series: "Our team must transport this oversized cargo using specialized heavy-duty trucks across dangerous terrain." (Narration from a reality show about extreme logistics, e.g., Ice Road Truckers)
Song Lyrics: "Sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go. I owe my soul to the company store." (Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Sixteen Tons," 1955) - Implies the heavy labor associated with "trucking" or mining.
Video Games: "Use the monster truck to smash through obstacles and complete the race." (In-game objective or vehicle description, e.g., Monster Truck Madness)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we delve into the culture of long-distance trucking in America and the unique lives of truckers." (A podcast exploring subcultures, e.g., Radiolab)
General Public Discourse:
"My car broke down on the highway, so I called a tow truck." (A common statement about vehicle breakdown)
"They used a flatbed truck to move all their furniture." (Describing transportation for moving)
"Have you ever driven a really big truck?" (A common question)
"The construction site has a lot of heavy trucks coming in and out." (An observation about a construction area)
"Can you truck these boxes over to the storage unit for me?" (A request for transportation)
"Don't truck with shady characters in this town." (Informal idiom, meaning "don't associate with")
10 Quotes Using Truck
"Keep on trucking." (Robert Crumb, iconic counterculture phrase from the 1970s)
"Sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt." (Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Sixteen Tons," 1955) - This song is famously associated with the heavy labor often done with trucks or mining.
"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." (Muhammad Ali) - This refers to taking bold action, perhaps like driving a big truck into unknown territory.
"They don't make 'em like that anymore." (Common phrase for something old and well-built, often applied to durable vehicles like trucks)
"I got a big truck and a big dog." (Lesser-known, but common country song trope)
"Don't let the bastards grind you down." (Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale, 1985) - This implies resistance against overwhelming force, like a heavy truck.
"You've got a friend in me." (Randy Newman, Toy Story, 1995) - The film features a memorable scene with a Pizza Planet truck.
"My old pickup truck has seen better days, but it still gets the job done." (Common relatable statement about an aging vehicle)
"The world is full of nice people. If you can't find one, be one." (Unknown, widely shared motivational quote) - This relates to the kindness one might find even on a long trucking journey.
"If I had a truck, I'd back it up and dump you right in the trash." (Original quote, expressing humorous disdain)
Etymology
The word "truck" actually has two completely different origins, leading to its two main modern meanings!
"Truck" as in a large motor vehicle for transport:
This comes from the Greek word trochos (τροχός), which meant "wheel."
This Greek word evolved into the Latin word trochus, meaning "iron hoop" or "wheel."
It then passed through Old French as troque.
When "truck" first appeared in English with this sense, in the mid-17th century (around 1650s), it didn't mean the big motor vehicles we know today. Instead, it referred to "small, solid wheels" (often on gun carriages or luggage carts), or "a wheeled vehicle used for heavy loads," like a handcart or trolley.
The meaning of a "large motor vehicle" (lorry in British English) is a much later development, appearing in the early 20th century (around 1904), as these vehicles became common.
"Truck" as in barter or exchange:
This comes from a completely different Old French word, troquer.
Troquer meant "to barter," "to exchange," or "to deal." Its ultimate origin is uncertain, but it might be related to the idea of "chopping" or "changing hands."
When "truck" first appeared in English with this meaning, in the late 14th century (around 1380), it referred to "barter" or "exchange of goods." This meaning is mostly archaic or found in specific phrases today (like "to have no truck with").
So, a "delivery truck" and the idea of "no truck with dishonesty" come from entirely separate linguistic family trees!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Truck
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "truck":
To keep on trucking: To continue working hard or making progress, especially despite difficulties.
To have no truck with (someone/something): To refuse to associate or deal with someone or something.
When the going gets tough, the tough get trucking: (Informal adaptation of "the tough get going") To persevere strongly when faced with challenges.
Truck stop: A place alongside a highway where truck drivers can stop for fuel, food, and rest.
Dump truck: A truck used for transporting loose material (like sand or gravel) that can be dumped.
Monster truck: A highly modified truck with oversized wheels and suspension, used for entertainment.
Pickup truck: A light motor truck with an open-topped rear cargo area.
Truck driver/trucker: A person whose job is to drive a truck.
To hit by a truck: (Figurative) To be overwhelmingly surprised or affected, often negatively.
A ton of bricks: A very heavy object; often used metaphorically for a sudden, impactful realization or consequence. (Related to the heavy load a "truck" carries).
Big rig: (Informal) A large semi-trailer truck. (Synonym for a large "truck").
To haul cargo: To transport goods. (Synonymous with "trucking" goods).
To get on the fast lane: To pursue a fast-paced or ambitious course. (Related to the speed of a "truck" on a highway).
A goods vehicle: A commercial vehicle designed for transporting goods. (Formal synonym for a "truck").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of truck from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
