carload

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carload" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a quantity of goods or people that can be transported in a single car of a train or truck. Example: "The shipment arrived in a carload, ready to be distributed to various stores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bob Costello, the chief economist of the American Trucking Association (great job title), says "While I am optimistic that the worst is behind us, I just don't see anything on the economic horizon that suggests freight tonnage is going to rise significantly or consistently" while the folks at the AAR comment "Is this proof that the carload recession is over?

The Economist

Visit any California branch of Trader Joe's, a supermarket chain where the wine is sold, and you will see stacks of it piled in the aisles, and shoppers carting it away not by the case, but by the carload.

The Economist

November's rocketing of a carload of suspected al-Qaeda men by an American drone aroused great ire as a breach of Yemeni sovereignty.

The Economist

In 1877 Swift successfully shipped the first refrigerator carload of fresh meat to the East.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If a child is in the road and a carload of pensioners is coming the other way, will the computer be programmed to swerve or carry on?

Independent

In Watchman Atticus asks Jean Louise, aka Scout: "Do you want Negroes by the carload in our schools and churches and theaters?

Independent

The addicts thought it was a carload of soldiers.

The New Yorker

Someone once said, 'Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the carload,' but I thought they owed him a little more respect".

The New Yorker

He had a carload of paintings, and he challenged the old landscape painter to a two-man show.

The New Yorker

In the other, a carload of checkers made it to the mythical restaurant, only to be underwhelmed by the food.

The New Yorker

He had friends by the carload, who were drawn to his tall, semi-silent elegance and attentive ear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carload" when specifically referring to the capacity of a railway car or when emphasizing a large quantity transported in a single vehicle-like unit.

Common error

Avoid using "carload" interchangeably with terms like "truckload" or "trainload" if the context doesn't specifically involve railway cars. Using the precise term enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "carload" is a noun, often functioning as a countable noun. It refers to the quantity or contents held or transported by a railway car or, more generally, a vehicle. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing quantity and capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "carload" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun to describe the quantity that a railway car can hold, often extending to mean a vehicle filled to capacity. Predominantly found in news and media, as shown by Ludwig, it maintains a neutral register. While terms like "truckload" or "trainload" may serve as alternatives, "carload" is most precise when referring to railway cars or emphasizing vehicular capacity. As Ludwig AI correctly identifies, this term is both usable and accurate in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truckload

Refers to the quantity that a truck can hold, instead of a railway car.

trainload

Specifies the quantity that a whole train can carry, emphasizing a larger scale.

boatload

Indicates the quantity that a boat can transport, changing the mode of transportation.

shipload

Similar to boatload, but suggests a larger vessel and quantity.

a large quantity

A more general term indicating a significant amount without specifying a mode of transport.

a great deal

Emphasizes the abundance or extent of something, similar to “carload” in scale.

a considerable amount

Highlights the substantial nature of the quantity.

a full load

Suggests the maximum capacity of something, implying completeness.

a packed vehicle

Describes a vehicle filled to capacity, focusing on the state of being full.

vehicle-full

Adjectival form, signifying the state of a vehicle being full, a less common expression.

FAQs

What does "carload" mean?

The term "carload" refers to the amount of goods or people that a single car of a train or truck can hold. It's often used to describe a large quantity of something being transported or moved.

How can I use "carload" in a sentence?

You can use "carload" to describe the contents of a vehicle or to describe a large quantity. For example: "The shipment arrived in a "carload", ready to be distributed" or "A "carload of tourists" visited the museum today."

What are some alternatives to using the word "carload"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "truckload", "trainload", "boatload", or "shipload". You could also use general terms like "large quantity" or "considerable amount".

Is it correct to use "carload" when referring to a car full of people?

Yes, "carload" can be used to refer to a car full of people, especially when emphasizing the number of occupants. For example, "A "carload" of teenagers went to the concert" is a perfectly acceptable usage.