tractor

noun

trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
1
a
: a 4-wheeled or tracklaying automotive vehicle used especially for drawing farm equipment
b
: a smaller 2-wheeled apparatus controlled through handlebars by a walking operator
2
: an airplane having the propeller forward of the main supporting surfaces

Illustration of tractor

Illustration of tractor
  • tractor 1a

Examples of tractor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The homes of parents whose children have settled abroad were easily identifiable; swanky bungalows with SUVs parked outside and tractors that had the American flag painted on them, bought with funds sent back home. Kunal Sehgal, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 One of the recent advancements in this area of autonomous machinery is the development of autonomous tractors that can be controlled remotely via a tablet or smartphone. Kathleen Walch, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Two young boys have died in separate tractor accidents at Halloween hayrides in Tennessee and Minnesota, local officials said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 Oct. 2024 Deputies said the child may have fallen beneath the wheels of one of the tractors while attempting to scare hay riders by jumping out of the bushes and onto their trailer. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tractor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tractor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin trahere

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tractor was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near tractor

Cite this Entry

“Tractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tractor. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tractor

noun
trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
1
: a vehicle that has large rear wheels or moves on tracks and is used especially for pulling farm implements
2
: a short truck with no body used in combination with a trailer for hauling freight

Medical Definition

tractor

noun
trac·​tor ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce tractor (audio)
: an instrument used to exert traction on a body part or tissue (as in surgical procedures)
a urethral tractor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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