pushchair
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈʊʃtʃeə/
US
- /pˈʊʃtʃɛr/
Description
- Baby stroller
- Buggy
- Child seat on wheels
- Folding child carrier
A pushchair, also known as a stroller or buggy depending on where you are, is a wheeled seat used by parents to carry a baby or young child. Think of it as a small seat on wheels. In older usage, a pram was often a larger model where a baby could lie flat. By contrast, a pushchair usually suggests something lighter and easier to push while out and about.
You might see a pushchair in a park, at the shops, or on public transport. They come in various designs: some are lightweight for travel, others are "all-terrain" for off-road adventures, and most include features like sunshades, rain covers, and storage baskets for nappies or groceries. If someone says, "Mind the pushchair," they are politely asking you to make way!
The word "pushchair" describes a wheeled seat for carrying a baby or small child. It is often used in a similar way to "stroller" and "buggy," although there are some regional and historical differences. Traditionally, a "pram" was made so a baby could lie flat, while a "pushchair" was more often for an older baby or toddler who could sit up. Today, these lines are less clear because many modern models can do both jobs. "Stroller" is the usual term in North America, while "pushchair" is common in the UK, and "buggy" is also widely used in British English and in some other varieties of English.
Pushchairs have changed a lot from the heavy carriages of the past. Modern versions focus on comfort, safety, and ease of use. Many have reclining seats, sunshades, storage baskets, safety harnesses, and frames that fold down for easy storage in a car boot.
You will see pushchairs in many public places, from shopping centres to busy pavements. They help parents move around with young children while keeping them safe and comfortable. For example: "She carefully steered the pushchair through the crowded market," or, "He was tired after pushing the pushchair uphill." Whether you call it a pushchair, stroller, or buggy, the idea is much the same: a simple, practical way to take a small child along with you.
Examples
- 1
Baby care
She lifted the sleeping baby out of the pushchair without waking him.
Usage
pushchair
British English for a chair on wheels used for pushing a baby or small child
- 2
Travel gear
We bought a lightweight pushchair for holidays because it folds up easily.
- 3
Public transport
There wasn't enough room for the pushchair on the bus, so he carried the toddler instead.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- pushchairnoun