chariot

1 of 2

noun

char·​i·​ot ˈcher-ē-ət 

ˈcha-rē-

1

: a light four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage

2

: a two-wheeled horse-drawn battle car of ancient times used also in processions and races

chariot

2 of 2

verb

charioted; charioting; chariots

intransitive verb

: to drive or ride in or as if in a chariot

transitive verb

: to carry in or as if in a chariot

Examples of chariot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The trailer shows flashes of executions, riots, and intense chariot racing and gladiator battle. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 June 2024

The show is set in Rome in 79 A.D, where the Roman population is kept in line by two things: free food and spectacular entertainment in the form of chariot racing and gladiator fights. —Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 13 June 2024

Its stone townhouses and villas are filled with baskets of almonds and lemons, and its narrow alleys are lined with rusty bicycles and wooden chariots, bearing the signs of time. —Emma Bubola, New York Times, 11 June 2024

Ben-Hur’s climactic chariot race is the final beatdown between the righteous and unjustly framed Judah (Charlton Heston) and his former friend, the quisling Messala (Stephen Boyd). —Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English chariot, chariette "wheeled vehicle for transporting people or things, vehicle used in warfare," borrowed from Anglo-French, "four-wheeled vehicle" (also continental Old French), from charier "to transport, carry entry 1" + -ot, noun suffix, here instrumental, going back to Vulgar Latin *-ottus, variant of Latin -ittus, diminutive suffix

Note: Other examples of -ot as an instrumental suffix are brûlot "fireship," cachot "prison cell."

Verb

derivative of chariot entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1550, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

chariot

noun

char·​i·​ot

ˈchar-ē-ət

: a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle of ancient times used in battle and also in races and parades