Tram
/træm/noun
A rail vehicle, usually running on city streets, that carries passengers.
Did you know?English tram is first recorded in mining and haulage contexts, and its exact origin is uncertain, but it likely came from a northern English dialect word for a beam or bar, later transferred to the vehicle running on rails.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern English
English
tram
“A beam, bar, or shaft used in mining and hauling.”
17th-18th Century
English
tram
“A wagon or trolley running on rails in mines.”
19th Century
English
tramway
“A track or set of rails for mine carts and street vehicles.”
19th Century
English
tram
“A street railway car or passenger vehicle.”
Modern English
English
tram
“A city rail vehicle for passenger transport.”