What does wagonload mean?
A wagonload is a count noun meaning the quantity of goods or materials that can be carried in a wagon. In contemporary usage, it is most often figurative: “a wagonload of people,” “a wagonload of emails,” or “a wagonload of work” refers to a conspicuously large amount. The expression has a somewhat informal, vivid quality because it conveys scale through an image of a heavily laden wagon rather than through an exact measurement. Its literal use remains possible when discussing transport, agriculture, trade, or historical travel. Wagonload is also used in the established phrase “by the wagonload,” meaning in very large quantities. Although the compound describes a specific capacity or quantity, modern speakers generally use it approximately rather than literally, especially outside historical or transport contexts.
nounAn amount of goods, materials, or other things carried by a wagon; by extension, a very large quantity of something.
- The amount of goods or materials transported in a wagon.
- A large quantity or supply of something.
"The market stall was piled high with a wagonload of fresh vegetables."
"They hauled a wagonload of timber from the forest."
"The website received a wagonload of complaints after the announcement."
Used for separate wagonloads or, figuratively, for very large amounts of something.
"The warehouse received several wagonloads of building materials."
Once measured by what a wagon could carry, “wagonload” now turns an ordinary quantity into an emphatically large one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wagonload
English wagonload is a compound formed from wagon and load. The word wagon was borrowed into English from Dutch wagen and is related to German Wagen; both forms belong to a Germanic word family connected with wheeled conveyances. Adding load to wagon produced the modern noun in the sense of a wagon's carrying capacity, which was later extended figuratively to mean a great quantity.
How wagonload is actually used
The literal sense is uncommon in modern everyday use, while the figurative sense is more frequent. “A wagonload of” is the usual construction and often conveys an exaggerated impression of abundance.