: a vehicle on rails used primarily for transporting passengers and typically operating on city streets

Illustration of streetcar

Illustration of streetcar

Examples of streetcar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The streetcar had only surpassed that many monthly riders once before in December 2025. Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 The Spirit of '76 streetcar, according to a release from PRT, quickly became one of the most recognizable vehicles in the Port Authority fleet with its red, white, and blue colors. Mike Darnay, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Soon, Prospect was crowded with wagons, streetcars, bicycles and automobiles. Arkansas Online, 27 June 2026 Enjoy stylish drinks and a unique wrap-around terrace vista at Harriet’s Rooftop or lunch at the farm-to-table 1 Kitchen restaurant while people- and streetcar-watching along Bathurst Street. Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for streetcar

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of streetcar was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Streetcar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streetcar. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

streetcar

noun
: a passenger vehicle that runs on rails and typically operates on city streets

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