caravan
caravan Lexical Profile
caravan Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A covered vehicle equipped with living quarters, typically towed behind a car and used for vacations.
"We hitched the caravan to the family car and drove down to the coast for the weekend."
A line or train of vehicles or pack animals traveling together.
"A long caravan of supply trucks made its way slowly up the winding mountain pass."
A group of travelers, merchants, or pilgrims journeying together for mutual protection, especially across a desert or through hostile territory.
"The merchants traveled in a large caravan to ensure their valuable silks reached the market safely."
• verb
British To spend a holiday living in a towed recreational vehicle or camper.
"They spent their summer caravanning through the Scottish Highlands."
To travel in a group or convoy, especially in a line of vehicles.
"Several families decided to caravan to the national park so no one would get lost on the drive."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American English, a caravan typically refers to a group of traveling vehicles or animals, whereas in British English, it is the standard term for a recreational trailer towed by a car.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Italian carovana or Middle French caravane, originating from the Persian word kārvān, meaning a group of desert travelers.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.