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
On a bluff in Pacific Palisades, California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, sit the Eames House and workshop, their rectangular structures nestled between the trunks of century-old eucalyptus trees.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 8 Apr. 2025
Amidst clips of blooming flowers, ocean waves, and tree trunks, however, eagle-eyed well-wishers also noticed two dogs walking behind a man presumed to be William in the video.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025
The trunks of various vintage Mercedes car models were popped to reveal silver trays of cocktail glassware, as waiters circulated mixed drinks around the room.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025
Residents must bring their guns to the event in a vehicle with the firearms unloaded in the trunk of the vehicle.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trunk
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 8 Apr. 2025
Amidst clips of blooming flowers, ocean waves, and tree trunks, however, eagle-eyed well-wishers also noticed two dogs walking behind a man presumed to be William in the video.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025
The trunks of various vintage Mercedes car models were popped to reveal silver trays of cocktail glassware, as waiters circulated mixed drinks around the room.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025
Residents must bring their guns to the event in a vehicle with the firearms unloaded in the trunk of the vehicle.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trunk
Video
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"
Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk
Cite this Entry
“Trunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trunk. Accessed 15 Apr. 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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