van Definition

van¹
noun

1. A commercial road vehicle with luggage space at the rear, lighter than a lorry or truck.

Thesaurus: truck, trailer, delivery truck, small truck, recreational vehicle (US), RV (US), camper.
(Brit)
2. A railway carriage in which luggage and parcels are carried, often also where the guard travels.

Form: luggage van (also)

Etymology: 19c: a shortening of caravan.

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van²
noun

1. A vanguard.
2. The forefront.

Example: in the van of progress

Etymology: 17c: a shortening of vanguard.