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trolleybus

trolleybus

1 6.0
A bus that runs on electricity from overhead wires
  • noun
  • /ˈtrɑːliˌbʌs/
translation icon : trolebús
  • The trolleybus glided silently along the street, powered by electricity from the overhead wires.

Examples

  • Moreover, improving that portion of the trolleybus network could be done for less money and benefit a much larger set of people than that segment of the streetcar will benefit.

    Blog text (12)
  • Seattle already has a 70-mile electric trolleybus network, a base with capacity, and wire between Pioneer Square and East Aloha Street.

    Blog text (16)
  • In its current configuration—and in the absence of money to connect the line through downtown—much more mobility could be purchased through trolleybus investment.

    Blog text (16)
  • Moving the trolleybus wire to Yesler would fix the speed and reliability problems of James St at a fraction of the cost of the streetcar on Jackson and, in the future, allow the assignment of articulated buses.

    Blog text (12)
  • The answer is that a trolleybus is run by Metro, which means it immediately sinks into a morass of undifferentiated routes with huge complexity, on-board payment, and an indeterminate level of service.

    Blog text (12)
  • Many cities have invested in a trolleybus system to provide eco-friendly public transportation options.

  • To reach the university, I took the trolleybus that runs along the main avenue.

Synonyms

trolley coach
vstrolleybus
  • US
4.6

A bus that runs on electricity from overhead wires to carry people

is the broader electric passenger road vehicle not only for public service
trackless trolley
vstrolleybus
  • US
6.7

A bus that uses electricity from wires above the street and does not run on tracks

is the wider electric passenger vehicle without specifying track usage

How Large

coach
75 1.3
trolleybus
1 6.0
minibus
4 2.7
car
1.0
motorbike
27 1.6

Surface Forms

trolleybus singular
trolleybuses plural

Morphology

trolleybus = trolley + bus (transparent) = trolley + bus

A straightforward compound of 'trolley' + 'bus' whose meaning (a bus powered via overhead trolley wires) follows directly from its parts.

Etymology

The word trolleybus comes from trolley (like a shopping trolley, 'a small cart that rolls') and bus ('a vehicle for many people'). So a trolleybus is a bus that gets its electricity from poles that touch overhead wires instead of from an engine.