trunk
noun
ˈtrəŋk 
1
a
: the main stem of a tree apart from limbs and roots
called also bole
b(1)
: the human or animal body apart from the head, neck, and appendages : torso
(2)
: the thorax of an insect
c
: the central part of anything
specifically : the shaft of a column or pilaster
2
a(1)
: a large rigid piece of luggage used usually for transporting clothing and personal effects
(2)
: the luggage compartment of an automobile
b(1)
: a superstructure over a ship's hatches usually level with the poop deck
(2)
: the part of the cabin of a boat projecting above the deck
(3)
: the housing for a centerboard or rudder
3
: proboscis
especially : the long muscular proboscis of the elephant
4
trunks plural : men's shorts worn chiefly for sports
swimming trunks
5
a
: a usually major channel or passage (such as a chute or shaft)
b
: a circuit between two telephone exchanges for making connections between subscribers
broadly : a usually electronic path over which information is transmitted (as between computer systems)
6
a
: the principal channel or main body of a system or part that divides into branches
a nerve trunk
the trunk of a river
b
: trunk line
trunkful
ˈtrənk-ˌfu̇l
noun 
Synonyms
- bin
- box
- caddy
- case
- casket
- chest
- locker
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the trunk of an artery threw the rest of her books and tapes in the trunk and closed the lid
Recent Examples on the Web The 10-second video opens with a retro-looking piece of luggage with an old-school Mustang logo on it sitting in the trunk of a car. 
Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 6 Sep. 2022 Every guitarist seems to have a uke handy in the closet or in the trunk of the car. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Sep. 2022 Human blood was detected in the trunk of his car, investigators wrote. Fox News, 1 Sep. 2022 Alito and Grais enjoyed themselves, but not exactly in the countercultural spirit of the era: after a debate in Ontario, a Canadian customs agent reportedly stopped the team and found bottles of port in the trunk. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2022 Just a little, but enough to remind me what was right behind me in the trunk. Aliza Aufrichtig, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2022 In 1990, a pipe bomb exploded in the trunk of her white Mercedes 560 as she was being driven home to Potomac from a shopping trip in Washington. Harrison Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Her body was found in the trunk of her car in a parking lot in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank. CBS News, 19 Aug. 2022 In 1990, a pipe bomb exploded in the trunk of her white Mercedes 560 as she was being driven home to Potomac from a shopping trip in Washington. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 See More
Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 6 Sep. 2022 Every guitarist seems to have a uke handy in the closet or in the trunk of the car. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Sep. 2022 Human blood was detected in the trunk of his car, investigators wrote. Fox News, 1 Sep. 2022 Alito and Grais enjoyed themselves, but not exactly in the countercultural spirit of the era: after a debate in Ontario, a Canadian customs agent reportedly stopped the team and found bottles of port in the trunk. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2022 Just a little, but enough to remind me what was right behind me in the trunk. Aliza Aufrichtig, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2022 In 1990, a pipe bomb exploded in the trunk of her white Mercedes 560 as she was being driven home to Potomac from a shopping trip in Washington. Harrison Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Her body was found in the trunk of her car in a parking lot in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank. CBS News, 19 Aug. 2022 In 1990, a pipe bomb exploded in the trunk of her white Mercedes 560 as she was being driven home to Potomac from a shopping trip in Washington. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English trunke Anglo-French trunc, trunke, from Latin truncus trunk, torso
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing trunk
Kids Definition
trunk
noun
ˈtrəŋk
1
: the thick main stem of a tree not including the branches and roots
2
: a box or chest for holding clothes or other articles especially for traveling
3
: the enclosed space in the rear of an automobile for carrying articles
4
: the long round muscular nose of an elephant
5
trunks plural : a swimsuit for a man or boy
6
: the body of a person or animal not including the head, arms, and legs
Medical Definition
trunk
noun
ˈtrəŋk
1
: the human body apart from the head and appendages : torso
2
: the main body of an anatomical part (as a nerve or blood vessel) that divides into branches
trunk
noun
as in bin
a covered rectangular container for storing or transporting things threw the rest of her books and tapes in the trunk and closed the lid Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bin
- box
- locker
- chest
- crate
- casket
- caddy
- case
- compartment
- coffin
- vault
- carton
- footlocker
- strongbox
- lockbox
- coffer
- hatbox
- safe
- snuffbox
- sea chest
- bandbox
- caisson
- safe-deposit box
- jewel box
- tinderbox
- canteen
- minaudière
- hope chest
- fussinesses
- fussing
- fussing (about or over)
- fussing about or over
- fussing over
- fussing with
- fussle
- miscompute
- miscomputed
- miscomputes
- miscomputing
- misconceit
- misconceive
- misconceived
- misconceiver
- misconceivers
- misconceives
- misconceiving
- misconception
- misconceptions
- misconduct
- misconducted
- misconducting
- misconducts
- misconjectured