stroller

IPA/ˈstrəʊlə(r)/
KK[strˈolɚ]IPA/ˈstrəʊlər/

stroller — noun

  • strollersingular
  • strollersplural

1. a small wheeled chair with a folding frame, used for carrying a baby or young ch

1.nounA2
Definition

a small wheeled chair with a folding frame, used for carrying a baby or young child while you walk

Example

Amara carefully strapped her toddler into the stroller before crossing the busy street.

strap toddler into stroller

Yuki folded the stroller with one hand and lifted it onto the bus.

fold stroller; lift onto bus

Common collocations
  • push a stroller
  • fold a stroller
  • strap into a stroller
  • lightweight stroller
  • double stroller
Synonyms
  • pushchair

    standard term in British English for the same object

  • pram

    British term, usually for a flat-lying baby carriage rather than an upright seat

  • baby carriage

    common term in American English, slightly more old-fashioned

  • buggy

    informal British term for a light folding stroller

Usage Note

In British English, pushchair or pram are more common for this object; stroller is the usual term in American English and is widely understood internationally.

Common Mistakes

The baby sat in a walker.' (when meaning stroller)
The baby sat in a stroller.
A walker helps babies learn to walk; a stroller is for pushing the baby around.

2. a person who walks at a slow, relaxed pace for pleasure rather than as a form of

2.nounB1
Definition

a person who walks at a slow, relaxed pace for pleasure rather than as a form of exercise or transport

Example

Diego noticed an elderly stroller pause to admire the cherry blossoms along the canal.

The café terrace was full of strollers enjoying afternoon tea in the autumn sunshine.

strollers enjoying [food/drink]

Common collocations
  • lone stroller
  • evening stroller
  • casual stroller
Synonyms
  • saunterer

    similar meaning but slightly more literary

  • ambler

    formal or literary term for someone walking unhurriedly

Usage Note

This sense is much less frequent than sense 1 in everyday speech. Phrases such as someone out for a stroll or people walking leisurely are more natural in most contexts.

Common Mistakes

The park was full of strollers.' (ambiguous — could mean baby carriages or walkers)
The park was full of elderly strollers enjoying the morning air.
Use surrounding words to clarify which meaning you intend.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four terms refer to wheeled vehicles for carrying babies, but their usage varies by region. Stroller (American English) and pushchair (British English) are the most common modern terms for a folding seat on wheels. Pram (from perambulator) is the British term for a carriage in which a baby lies flat; it is less common for older toddlers. Baby carriage is the older American term, still used but seen as slightly old-fashioned. Buggy is an informal British synonym for pushchair, similar to how Americans use stroller. In international contexts, stroller is the most widely understood term.

pushchairprambaby carriagebuggy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • push a stroller
  • fold a stroller
  • strap into a stroller
  • stroller ride
  • stroller walk

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanEnglish

Derived from the verb stroll (meaning to walk in a leisurely way) plus the agent suffix -er. Stroll entered English in the early 1600s, probably from German strolchen (to roam or wander). The meaning baby carriage first appeared in the 19th century in American English, originally a shortened form of stroller carriage.