rickshaw

noun

rick·​shaw ˈrik-ˌshȯ 

variants or less commonly ricksha

plural rickshaws also rickshas

: any of various small doorless passenger vehicles used chiefly in Asia:

a

: a small 2-wheeled vehicle that is pulled by a person on foot, that holds one or two passengers, and that often has a folding top to protect the passenger seat

b

: a tricycle that has a seat for one or two passengers, a separate seat for a driver who pedals, and often a folding top to protect the passenger seat : pedicab

c

: a small three-wheeled motorized vehicle that typically has a driver's seat in front, a small passenger compartment in back, and a folding top or hardtop

Examples of rickshaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The government has also imposed a ban on three-wheelers known as rickshaws and halted construction in certain areas to reduce the pollution levels. —Reuters, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

The extreme pollution prompted Lahore officials to close primary schools for one week and place restrictions on barbecue restaurants, motorcycle rickshaws, and construction activities. —Sophia Saifi, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024

The bomb, which was attached to a motorcycle, exploded near a motorized rickshaw that was carrying schoolchildren in Mastung, a district in Balochistan province, according to local police chief Fateh Mohammad. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

In late August, CNN witnessed half a dozen small peaceful protests in the capital Dhaka and south-eastern city of Cox’s Bazar – on niche issues such as doctors trying to prevent paramedics from gaining medical licenses, and rickshaw drivers campaigning against electric rickshaws. —Rebecca Wright, CNN, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of jinrikisha

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rickshaw

noun

rick·​shaw

variants also ricksha

ˈrik-ˌshȯ 

: a small hooded carriage with two wheels that is pulled by one person and was used originally in Japan