trunk
storage space at back of car
The closed space at the back of a car where you can put bags and other things.
put [something] in the trunk
- She put the groceries in the trunk and closed it firmly.
- The police found a spare tire in the trunk of the car.
- He popped the trunk so the mechanic could check the tools.
- We didn’t have enough trunk space for all the suitcases.
- There’s an emergency kit in the trunk if you need it.
- He put his bag in the trunk.
- The trunk is full of suitcases.
- Please open the trunk, I need my jacket.
- There is a spare wheel in the trunk.
- We packed the car and closed the trunk.
main stem of a tree
The big main part of a tree that goes up from the ground and holds the branches.
the trunk of [a tree]
- The tree trunk was so wide that three people could not reach around it.
- Carvings on the old trunk showed dates from a hundred years ago.
- The child tried to climb the smooth trunk but kept slipping down.
- Moss was growing all the way up the north side of the trunk.
- The storm snapped the trunk in half near the base.
- The boy sat on a fallen tree trunk.
- This tree has a very thick trunk.
- A bird made a home in a hole in the trunk.
- He leaned his back against the trunk of the tree.
- We tied the rope to the tree trunk.
central body, torso
The middle part of the body, not including the head, arms, or legs.
[something] on the trunk
- The doctor examined the patient’s trunk for any signs of bruising.
- These exercises focus on strengthening the muscles of the trunk.
- The statue shows only the head and trunk of the ancient king.
- The athlete twisted his trunk sharply and felt a sudden pain.
- The seat belt should go across the chest and trunk, not the neck.
- The trunk connects the head and the legs.
- He has strong muscles in his trunk.
- The belt goes around the trunk of the body.
- The doctor saw a red rash on her trunk.
- They moved their trunks from side to side in the exercise class.
large box for storage/travel
A big, heavy box with a lid, used to keep or move clothes and other personal things.
pack [something] in a trunk
- She kept her grandmother’s letters in an old trunk in the attic.
- They packed all their belongings into a single steamer trunk for the voyage.
- He opened the trunk at the foot of the bed and pulled out a blanket.
- The antique shop had a beautiful leather trunk for sale.
- Dust rose into the air as they lifted the lid of the trunk.
- They put their clothes in a big trunk for the trip.
- There is an old trunk in the attic.
- He opened the trunk and found many books inside.
- My grandmother keeps photos in a wooden trunk.
- The trunk is very heavy, so two people must carry it.
elephant’s long flexible nose
The very long nose of an elephant that it uses to breathe, smell, take food, and move things.
elephant’s trunk
- The elephant lifted its trunk and sprayed water over its back.
- A baby elephant held its mother’s tail with its trunk as they walked.
- She drew an elephant with its trunk wrapped around a tree branch.
- The elephant used its trunk to pick up the small fruit.
- When it smelled danger, the elephant raised its trunk high in the air.
- The elephant drinks water with its trunk.
- An elephant has a long trunk and big ears.
- The animal used its trunk to pick up food.
- The baby elephant played with its trunk.
- The elephant moved its trunk from side to side.
main central route or channel
The main road, line, or tube in a system, from which smaller parts go out.
the trunk of [a system]
- Heavy trucks are only allowed on the main trunk road between the two cities.
- The company upgraded its international trunk lines to increase internet capacity.
- Engineers designed the trunk cable to carry most of the network’s data traffic.
- The new highway will act as a trunk route for goods moving to the port.
- In anatomy, the pulmonary trunk carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
- This highway is the main trunk road in the country.
- All small roads join the trunk road near the city.
- A trunk line carries many phone calls at one time.
- Small branch lines connect to the trunk line.
- The trunk cable is the main part of the network.
swim trunks
1men’s swimming shorts
Short pants that men or boys wear for swimming.
- He packed a towel and a pair of swim trunks for the beach.
- You must wear proper swim trunks if you want to enter the pool.
trunk call
1long-distance telephone call
A long-distance telephone call between different cities or areas, especially in older British and Indian English use.
- In those days you had to book a trunk call through the operator.
- He made a trunk call to his family in another city.
trunk line
1main line in a network
A main telephone, internet, or transport line that connects important places in a network.
- The phone company installed a new trunk line to handle international calls.
- All local exchanges connect to the central trunk line in the city.
trunk road
1major road between towns or cities
A main road that connects big towns or cities and carries a lot of traffic.
- The accident happened on the busy trunk road leading to the capital.
- Most heavy trucks use the trunk road instead of the smaller village streets.
trunk show
1temporary designer sales event
A special event, often in a store or hotel, where a designer shows and sells their products directly to customers for a short time.
- The boutique is hosting a trunk show for a local jewelry designer this weekend.
- She bought her wedding dress at a trunk show where the designer was present.