chariot

1 of 2

noun

char·​i·​ot ˈcher-ē-ət How to pronounce chariot (audio)
ˈcha-rē-
Synonyms of chariotnext
1
: a light four-wheeled pleasure or state carriage
2
: a two-wheeled horse-drawn battle car of ancient times used also in processions and races

chariot

2 of 2

verb

charioted; charioting; chariots

intransitive verb

: to drive or ride in or as if in a chariot

transitive verb

: to carry in or as if in a chariot

Examples of chariot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Like watching a chariot crash with a rider named Oedipus. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 June 2026 Never mind that he was ejected from the chariot along the way; Nero was declared the winner. — Vahe Gregorian july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026 For example, last Wednesday, the game challenged me with a picture of a bronze sculpture that looked somewhat like a chariot. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 6 July 2026 But, that could be accomplished with portable palanquins and chariots, Namboothiri said. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chariot

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English chariot, chariette "wheeled vehicle for transporting people or things, vehicle used in warfare," borrowed from Anglo-French, "four-wheeled vehicle" (also continental Old French), from charier "to transport, carry entry 1" + -ot, noun suffix, here instrumental, going back to Vulgar Latin *-ottus, variant of Latin -ittus, diminutive suffix

Note: Other examples of -ot as an instrumental suffix are brûlot "fireship," cachot "prison cell."

Verb

derivative of chariot entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1550, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of chariot was in the 14th century

Rhymes for chariot

See All Rhymes for chariot

Browse Nearby Words

Chari-Nile
chariot
chariotee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chariot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chariot. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chariot

noun
char·​i·​ot
ˈchar-ē-ət
: a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle of ancient times used in battle and also in races and parades

More from Merriam-Webster on chariot

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chariot

Nglish: Translation of chariot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chariot

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