carload

IPA/ˈkɑːləʊd/
KK[kˈɑrlˌod]IPA/ˈkɑːrləʊd/

carload — noun

1. the people or goods inside a car at one time, especially when the car is full en

1.nounB2
Definition

the people or goods inside a car at one time, especially when the car is full enough that the amount is worth mentioning

Example

The Watanabe family brought a whole carload of groceries home from the market.

collocation: a whole carload of [goods]

A carload of tourists from Japan arrived at the national park just before noon.

pattern: a carload of + people

Common collocations
  • a carload of
  • a whole carload of
  • a full carload of
  • pack a carload of
  • bring a carload of
  • carloads of
Synonyms
  • carful

    informal; interchangeable with carload but less common in writing

  • truckload

    specifically for trucks or large vehicles; often implies a larger quantity

  • vanload

    specifically for vans; similar quantity range

Grammar Patterns

a carload of + noun

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'a carload of + noun' to describe a quantity of people or goods that fills a car. The word is a singular countable noun; its plural form carloads is common when referring to multiple vehicles.

Common Mistakes

I have a carload of books on my passenger seat.' (just a few books).
We packed a full carload of books when we moved houses.
'carload' implies the car is full or nearly full, not just any small amount inside.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe a quantity that fills a vehicle, but they differ by vehicle type and level of formality. Carload is the neutral, most general term for an ordinary car and can refer to either people or goods. Carful is an informal alternative for passengers only (e.g., 'a carful of kids') and rarely appears in formal writing. Truckload implies a much larger capacity — often used in shipping or logistics contexts to emphasize bulk. Busload is specific to groups of people on a bus and is common in tourism or event planning. Vanload sits between carload and truckload in size and is used when the vehicle is a van, often for deliveries or equipment. For everyday conversation about filling a standard passenger car with groceries, luggage, or friends, carload is the natural and most versatile choice.

carload ↗carful ↗truckload ↗busloadvanload

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • a carload of
  • a whole carload of
  • a full carload of
  • carloads of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

Carload is a compound formed from car (from Latin carrus, a wheeled vehicle for carrying loads) and load (from Old English lād, meaning a journey or a carrying). The word first appeared in the mid-19th century, initially referring to the amount of goods a railway freight car could hold, and later broadened to include passenger cars.