1
a
: the main stem of a tree apart from limbs and roots
called also bole
b(1)
: the human or animal body apart from the head, neck, and appendages : torso
(2)
: the thorax of an insect
c
: the central part of anything
specifically
: the shaft of a column or pilaster
2
a(1)
: a large rigid piece of luggage used usually for transporting clothing and personal effects
(2)
: the luggage compartment of an automobile
b(1)
: a superstructure over a ship's hatches usually level with the poop deck
(2)
: the part of the cabin of a boat projecting above the deck
(3)
: the housing for a centerboard or rudder
3
: proboscis
especially
: the long muscular proboscis of the elephant
4
trunks plural
: men's shorts worn chiefly for sports
swimming trunks
5
a
: a usually major channel or passage (such as a chute or shaft)
b
: a circuit between two telephone exchanges for making connections between subscribers
broadly
: a usually electronic path over which information is transmitted (as between computer systems)
6
a
: the principal channel or main body of a system or part that divides into branches
a nerve trunk
the trunk of a river
b
Examples of trunk in a Sentence
the trunk of an artery
threw the rest of her books and tapes in the trunk and closed the lid
Recent Examples on the Web
More than a decade after a woman was found dead inside the trunk of her burning car, her ex-boyfriend has been arrested and charged, California prosecutors say.
—
Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025
That same month, it was announced that Louis Vuitton, another one of LVMH’s maisons, would become the title partner for the first race of the season in Melbourne and have trackside signage at the event and provide the trophy trunks.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2025
After visiting Iraq and Oman, where some of the date orchards could only be reached by camel, the brothers shipped thousands of offshoots, harvested from the base of date palm trunks, back to the United States.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2025
Start about 10 inches away from the trunk and add new lines every foot out, ending a foot past the edge of the canopy.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for trunk 
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Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025
That same month, it was announced that Louis Vuitton, another one of LVMH’s maisons, would become the title partner for the first race of the season in Melbourne and have trackside signage at the event and provide the trophy trunks.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2025
After visiting Iraq and Oman, where some of the date orchards could only be reached by camel, the brothers shipped thousands of offshoots, harvested from the base of date palm trunks, back to the United States.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2025
Start about 10 inches away from the trunk and add new lines every foot out, ending a foot past the edge of the canopy.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for trunk
Articles Related to trunk
Video
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"
Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk
Dictionary Entries Near trunk
Cite this Entry
“Trunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trunk. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trunk
noun1
a
: the main stem of a tree apart from branches or roots
b
: the body of a person or animal apart from the head, arms, and legs : torso
c
: the main or central part of something
trunk of an artery
2
a
: a box or chest for holding clothes or other articles especially for traveling
b
: the enclosed space usually in the rear of an automobile for carrying articles
3
: the long flexible muscular nose of an elephant or a related mammal (as a woolly mammoth)
4
plural
: men's shorts worn chiefly for sports
swimming trunks
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