van
- Top 3000
Sense 1
- noun
- B1
A road vehicle with a closed box-shaped back, used mainly to carry goods or a group of people, and smaller than a lorry.
The plumber parked his van outside and carried in a heavy toolbox.
The band loaded their drums and guitars into the back of the van.
A van full of volunteers arrived just before the concert started.
Someone scratched the side of our van in the car park.
Common collocations: delivery van · white van · van driver · hire a van · load the van · the back of the van
Part of: Means of transport
Sense 2 · less common
- noun
- C1
A closed railway carriage that carries luggage, post or goods instead of passengers.
Porters loaded heavy mail sacks into the van behind the engine.
Bicycles travel in the van at the rear of the train.
The guard locked the van door and waved the train away.
Common collocations: luggage van · guard's van · goods van · travel in the van
Part of: Means of transport, Airports and stations
Forms
- plural
- vans