trolley

1 of 2

noun

trol·​ley ˈträ-lē How to pronounce trolley (audio)
variants or less commonly trolly
plural trolleys also trollies
1
a
: a streetcar powered electrically through a trolley

called also trolley car

b
: a device that carries electric current from an overhead wire to an electrically driven vehicle
2
: a wheeled carriage running on an overhead rail or track
3
chiefly British : a cart or wheeled stand used for conveying something (such as food or books)
4
dialectal, England : a cart of any of various kinds

trolley

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly trolly
trolleyed also trollied; trolleying also trollying

transitive verb

: to convey by a trolley

intransitive verb

: to ride on a trolley

Examples of trolley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The last Blue Line trolley service going south leaving the UTC Station is 11:18 p.m. and going north, the last trolley leaves the San Ysidro Station at 11:49 p.m. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 The remainder would fund trolleys to move tables and electric pallet jacks for the operations center in addition to a-frames and interchangeable signs that would be used with them to direct voters at early voting locations and Election Day polling places. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Rentals on Siesta Key, a barrier island connected to Sarasota by two bridges, are more expensive, but offer easy beach access, free trolley service and small town charm. Valeriya Safronova, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Black, Quan, Cranston, Awkwafina and Hong stood at the helm of the trolley’s roof and waved to the crowd as the dragon dancers led the way with a percussion ensemble accompanying them. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 The trolley passthrough is especially versatile, as it can be zippered up when not in use to double as another slender pocket. Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the suitcases themselves offer improved features based on customer feedback, like extra interior pockets and a more stable trolley handle. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 San Diego police said three people opened fire in a gun battle in the Union Grantville complex, which sits near a trolley station and markets itself to San Diego State University students. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 The legend began in 1903 with a humble saloon in Tampa where trolley conductors and cigar-factory workers ducked in for a slurp of strong coffee. Andrew Barrett Schrader, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
The 360-degree spinner wheels are easy to trolley across terminals. Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, 22 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trolley.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from troll entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1882, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of trolley was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near trolley

Cite this Entry

“Trolley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trolley. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trolley

noun
trol·​ley
variants also trolly
ˈträl-ē
plural trolleys also trollies
1
a
: a device for carrying current from a wire to an electrically driven vehicle
b
: a streetcar that runs on tracks and gets its electric power through a trolley

called also trolley car

2
: a wheeled carriage running on an overhead rail or track

Medical Definition

trolley

noun
trol·​ley
variants also trolly
plural trolleys also trollies
British
: gurney

More from Merriam-Webster on trolley

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