Types of vehicles

Types of vehicles with definitions

Airship (also dirigible)

 an aircraft consisting of a large gas balloon that looks like a ship, and a gondola where passengers sit. Gondola is a structure suspended below the balloon.

Airplane (also plane)

an aircraft that has wings and an engine, used for transporting people or goods

ATV (all-terrain vehicle)

 a small open vehicle with four large wheels and a single seat in the middle, used for driving on dirt roads

Automobile (car)

a road vehicle that has four wheels and engine, that is designed for one driver and one to seven passengers

Ambulance

a vehicle that provides medical care in an emergency and takes the patients to or from hospital

Balloon (also hot-air balloon)

an aircraft consisting of a large spherical bag filled with gas or hot air, and basket suspended below the bag

Bicycle (informal bike)

a vehicle consisting of a metal frame, one small seat, handlebars and two wheels, that a person rides by pushing the pedals with both feet

Boat

a watercraft that is smaller than ship, and used for travel on water

Bus

a large vehicle that has a lot of seats for passengers and used for public transportation

Cable car

a vehicle without an engine that hangs from cables and travels up and down steep hills 

Canoe

a long and narrow boat that is made of light materials

Golf cart

a small vehicle that is designed to carry two golfers and their equipment around a golf course

Helicopter

an aircraft with rotating blades on its top that can stay in the air without moving

Hovercraft

a vehicle consisting of a cushion of air and one or two blowers that allow it travel above land, mud, water or ice

Locomotive (also engine)

a vehicle that is powered to pull trains along railroad tracks

Moped

a small motorcycle with an engine that is assisted with pedalling

Motorcycle

a road vehicle with an engine and two wheels that is designed for carrying one or two riders

Rickshaw

a cart for one or two passengers that is pulled by a person

Pedalo (also pedal boat)

a small boat with pedals that is usually moved on small lakes for pleasure

Police car

a vehicle with flashing light, siren and other police equipment, used for carrying officers or suspects

Fire engine

a vehicle that is designed for fighting fires and rescuing people

Sailboat

A boat that is moved by sails

Ship

a large watercraft for carrying people or goods by sea or ocean

Snowmobile (also sled)

a small vehicle for a single rider that is designed to travel on snow or icy surfaces

Submarine

a watercraft that is capable of travelling underwater

SUV (sport utility vehicle)

a car that is capable of supplying power to all wheels for rough surfaces

Tractor

a farm vehicle with large back wheels, used especially for pulling agricultural machines 

Train

a group of rail vehicles attached and pulled by a locomotive

Tram (also street car)

a vehicle that runs on rails in the cities and driven by electric wires

Tricycle

a bicycle that has two rear wheels and one front wheel

Trolleybus

a bus driven by electric wires above the road

Truck (British English lorry)

a heavy vehicle that is designed to carry large loads

Van

a vehicle that is bigger than an automobile, used for carrying goods, equipment or people

Garbage truck

a vehicle to collect household wastes

Vocabulary Cards