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4WD

4WD

3.2
A car or truck that gives power to all four wheels for better grip on rough, slippery roads
  • noun
  • /fɔr wɪl draɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tracción en las cuatro ruedas
  • We took my 4WD up the mountain trail without any problems.
  • 4-wheel drive
  • 4-wheel drive

Examples

  • Many 4WDs are designed for off-road adventures.

  • The rental company offered both standard cars and 4WD vehicles for the trip.

  • He prefers to drive a 4WD for off-road adventures.

  • My new car is a 4WD model.

  • The new SUV features a 4WD system, making it ideal for driving on snowy roads.

  • When exploring the mountain trails, having a 4WD vehicle significantly improved our traction on rough terrain.

  • In off-road situations, a 4WD truck is essential for navigating steep and slippery surfaces.

Synonyms

four-wheel drive
vs4WD
  • Specialized
16 3.4

A system that powers all four wheels for better grip on rough or slippery ground

is the shortened abbreviation of the same full phrase
AWD
vs4WD
  • Specialized
4.4

Having power sent to all four wheels to give better grip

also covers the system itself not only the vehicle

How Off-Road Capable

4WD
  • Specialized
3.2
landrover
  • UK
4.2
SUV
100 2.7
crossover
5 3.5
car
1.0

Surface Forms

4WD singular
4WDs plural

Morphology

4WD = four-wheel drive (transparent) = 4 + W + D

The abbreviation '4WD' is directly formed from 'four-wheel drive' and its meaning is immediately inferable from that phrase.

Etymology

4WD is short for four-wheel drive. The 4 stands for 'four' wheels and WD stands for 'wheel drive', which means the engine sends power to all wheels so the vehicle has better grip on rough or slippery ground.