• Caravan

    Pronunciation

    • enPR: kărˈə-văn, IPA: /ˈkærÉ™væn/

    Origin

    From Middle French caravane, from Old French carvane, from Persian کاروان, from Middle Persian kʾlwʾn'. The word was used to designate a group of people who were travelling by camel or horse on the Silk Road.

    Full definition of caravan

    Noun

    caravan

    (plural caravans)
    1. A convoy or procession of travelers, their vehicles and cargo, and any pack animals, especially camels crossing a desert.
      • 1846, Rufus B. Sage, ,To the left the caravan animals, securely picketed, at regular distances of some fifteen yards apart, occupied an area of several acres.
      • 1888, Rudyard Kipling, ,“Would they could have foretold that my caravan would have been cut up by the Shinwaris almost within shadow of the Pass!” grunted the Eusufzai agent of a Rajputana trading-house whose goods had been feloniously diverted into the hands of other robbers just across the Border, and whose misfortunes were the laughing-stock of the bazar. “Ohé, priest, whence come you and whither do you go?”
      • 1897, (editor), , Chapter 21,Camel caravans, and courageous teamsters opened regular carrying businesses between Southern Cross and Coolgardie, while coaches began to run over the desert.
    2. (UK, Australia, NZ) A furnished vehicle towed behind a car, etc., and used as a dwelling when stationary.

    Derived terms

    Related terms

    Synonyms

    Verb

    1. To travel in a caravan (procession).The wedding party got in their cars and caravaned from the chapel to the reception hall.
    2. (UK, Australia) To travel and/or live in a caravan (vehicle).When my parents retired they really got back into caravanning.

    Derived terms

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