trundle

1 of 2

verb

trun·​dle ˈtrən-dᵊl 

trundled; trundling

ˈtrən(d)-liŋ,

ˈtrən-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to propel by causing to rotate : roll

a … child who was trundling a hoop

—Charles Dickens

b

archaic : to cause to revolve : spin

2

: to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul, wheel

trundled him off to school

intransitive verb

1

: to progress by revolving

2

: to move on or as if on wheels : roll

buses trundling through the city

trundler

ˈtrən(d)-lər

ˈtrən-dᵊl-ər 

noun

trundle

2 of 2

noun

1

: the motion or sound of something rolling

2

: trundle bed

3

: a round or oval wooden tub

Examples of trundle in a Sentence

Verb

She trundled her suitcase into the room.

The children trundled off to bed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Over 26 hours and 800 miles, this train trundles to the eastern city of Kars along the border with Armenia, unveiling the geographical marvels and dramatic vistas of Turkey's Anatolian provinces. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2024

Instead, the book just keeps going, trundling through the years. —Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

Noun

But gone are the trundle suitcases stacked to the tops of the automotive workhorses and tied together with rope. —James Raia, The Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2024

Ray notes that trundles and bunks are well-suited for children’s bedrooms or guest rooms. —Jenna Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

from trundle small wheel, alteration of earlier trendle, from Middle English, circle, ring, wheel, from Old English trendel; akin to Old English trendan to revolve — more at trend entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trundle

• trundle bed
• trundle out
• trundle-tail

Kids Definition

trundle

verb

trun·​dle

ˈtrən-dᵊl

trundled; trundling

ˈtrən-dliŋ,

-dᵊl-iŋ

1

: to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul

trundled her off to school

2

: to move on or as if on wheels

buses trundling through the city