WordGarden.iopram
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /præm/CommonwealthIrelandnoun
US
Meanings
Noun
a wheeled carriage or stroller for a baby
a small flat-bottomed dinghy with a squared-off bow
Beyond the definition
A pram is a wheeled carriage for a baby, especially a very young baby who lies flat while being pushed. In everyday use, people may also call it a buggy, stroller, or pushchair, though the exact meaning can change by region. You might see a parent pushing one through a park, along a street, or into a shop with a sleeping baby inside.
The word "pram" is a shortened form of "perambulator." It originally referred to a baby carriage made for taking very young children outdoors without carrying them in your arms. Over time, the word came to be used for several kinds of wheeled baby carriers, from older, large carriages to lighter modern designs.
In many places, "pram" is used interchangeably with "stroller" or "buggy." However, some people still make a distinction: a "pram" is usually meant for a newborn lying flat, while a "stroller" often has a seat for an older baby or small child who can sit more upright. In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, "pram" is especially common and may be used for almost any wheeled carrier for a baby.
You might meet the word in a novel, where someone pushes a pram down an old street, or in a modern ad for a light, foldable model. The context usually shows whether it means a traditional baby carriage or a more general everyday stroller. In either case, the idea is the same: a safe and comfortable way to move a baby from place to place.
Examples
- 1
Park walk
The baby was asleep in the pram while we walked through the park.
- Usage
pram is mainly British English; American English usually says stroller
- 2
Steps
She pushed the pram carefully down the steps.
- 3
Public transport
There wasn't enough room to get the pram onto the bus.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pramnoun
Forms
- pramspluralnoun