What does tonneaux mean?
Tonneaux is the standard plural of tonneau and most often refers to the rear seating compartments of open cars and convertibles. These compartments were traditionally covered by folding fabric or metal tops, allowing an open vehicle to become a closed one when required. The term can also denote large barrel-shaped wine casks, although this use is uncommon outside specialist writing about wine production and storage. Tonneaux came into English from French, where tonneau originally referred to a cask and was related to tonne, meaning a large weight or measure. Its automotive sense developed through the French influence on early motoring terminology, when vehicle body sections were described with words borrowed from French. The result is a dual-purpose word that connects a once-common automobile feature with the traditional equipment of a wine cellar. In ordinary writing, tonneau usually signals a particular vehicle body arrangement rather than simply a seat or luggage area.
nounTonneaux are the rear seating compartments of automobiles, especially open cars or convertibles. In specialist wine terminology, the plural can also denote large barrel-shaped casks used for storing or aging wine.
- The rear seating compartment or body section of an automobile, especially an open or convertible vehicle.
- A large barrel-shaped cask used for storing or aging wine.
"The car's folding rear tonneau was lowered to create an unobstructed cargo area."
"The two cars were distinguished by their folding rear tonneaux and compact bodywork."
"The estate's cellar contains several tonneaux that are used for aging its reserve wine."
Tonneaux is the standard plural of the singular noun tonneau.
"The museum restored the car's original tonneau and leather seats."
Tonneaux comes from French for a cask, so an automobile's rear seat was originally given the name of a barrel.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tonneaux come from?
The word comes from French tonneau, a diminutive of ton or tonne and ultimately related to Latin tonna, an ancient measure or vessel. French first used tonneau for a large cask, and English later borrowed the word for the rear section of an automobile, probably during the early development of motoring vocabulary. The form tonneaux reflects the French plural of tonneau, while tonne remains a cognate associated with the same measure-related tradition.
Related word forms
How tonneaux is actually used
The automotive sense is especially associated with British usage, although it is also understood in American English. The wine sense is relatively rare and specialist; an ordinary barrel or wine cask is usually clearer in general writing.
Easily confused with tonneaux
A tureen is a covered serving dish for soup or stew, whereas a tonneau is an automobile's rear compartment or, in specialist usage, a wine cask.