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Minivan - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A minivan is a spacious family vehicle designed for passenger comfort, typically featuring sliding doors and multiple seating rows. It is ideal for transporting groups and offers ample cargo space.

minivan

/ˈmɪniˌvæn/ /ˈmɪnivæn/

Definition:

A small van designed for passenger transport, typically with three rows of seats.

Synonyms:

people carrier, MPV, multi-purpose vehicle

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

sports car, sedan

Common Collocations:

family minivan, spacious minivan, drive a minivan

Derivatives:

minivans (plural), minivanning (gerund)

Usage Tips:

Use "minivan" to describe a family-friendly vehicle larger than a car but smaller than a full-sized van.

Common Phrases:

"minivan mom, " "packed like a minivan, " "minivan life"

Etymology:

Blend of "miniature" and "van," first used in the 20th century for compact passenger vans.

Examples:

  • 1. We rented a minivan for our road trip.
  • 2. The minivan comfortably seats seven passengers.
  • 3. She prefers driving a minivan for its storage space.
  • 4. Their new minivan has sliding doors for convenience.

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