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Definition of flatcar

flatcar

/ˈflætˌkɑːr/
flat · car
Plural:flatcars
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flatcar Lexical Profile

flatcar Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A railroad freight car without a roof or sides, consisting primarily of a flat deck mounted on wheels, designed to carry bulky, abnormally large, or heavy cargo such as machinery, containers, or timber.

Example

"The freshly cut timber was securely tied down onto a flatcar for the long journey to the lumber mill."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Predominantly used in North American English; the British English equivalent is typically 'flat wagon'.

• Nearby Words

flatback turtle
flatboat
flatbread
flatcar
flatfish
flathead
flathead catfish

Word Origin & Etymology

An American English compound word formed from 'flat' and 'car', originating in the mid-19th century to describe railway freight cars characterized by their open, level decks.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Flatcar. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/flatcar
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