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
Examples of trunk in a Sentence
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
Most of these masks are crafted from tree trunks and are hand-painted, with each one carrying its own unique story.
—
Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
Use a proper stand: Ensure your tree stand holds enough water (at least one quart per inch of trunk diameter) and is stable.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024
The fall is when trees put on the majority of their trunk diameter growth.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024
There was wide separation between trunks, creating vast corridors stretching off in all directions before me, behind me, all around me.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trunk 
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Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
Use a proper stand: Ensure your tree stand holds enough water (at least one quart per inch of trunk diameter) and is stable.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024
The fall is when trees put on the majority of their trunk diameter growth.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024
There was wide separation between trunks, creating vast corridors stretching off in all directions before me, behind me, all around me.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trunk
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Dictionary Entries Near trunk
Cite this Entry
“Trunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trunk. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trunk
noun1
a
: the main stem of a tree apart from branches or roots
b
: the body of a person or animal apart from the head, arms, and legs : torso
c
: the main or central part of something
trunk of an artery
2
a
: a box or chest for holding clothes or other articles especially for traveling
b
: the enclosed space usually in the rear of an automobile for carrying articles
3
: the long flexible muscular nose of an elephant or a related mammal (as a woolly mammoth)
4
plural
: men's shorts worn chiefly for sports
swimming trunks
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