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perambulator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Low
UK/pəˈrambjʊleɪtə/US/pərˈæmbjəˌleɪtər/

Formal, Literary, Dated

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Quick answer

What does “perambulator” mean?

A baby carriage.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A baby carriage; a wheeled vehicle for pushing a baby around.

1. A person who perambulates (walks about). 2. (Dated) A wheel-like instrument used by surveyors for measuring distances.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In both varieties, 'perambulator' is dated. The short form 'pram' is standard and common in British English for a baby carriage. In American English, 'baby carriage', 'stroller', or 'buggy' are the standard terms; 'pram' is understood but seldom used.

Connotations

Conveys a sense of old-fashioned formality or upper-class gentility (e.g., nanny pushing a perambulator in the park). In American English, it may sound particularly archaic or British.

Frequency

'Perambulator' is extremely rare in both. 'Pram' is high-frequency in the UK, low-frequency in the US.

Grammar

How to Use “perambulator” in a Sentence

push [a/the] perambulatorwheel [a/the] perambulator along

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
push a perambulatorwheeled perambulatorVictorian perambulator
medium
nanny with a perambulatorexpensive perambulatorhood of the perambulator
weak
old perambulatorpark perambulatorleather perambulator

Examples

Examples of “perambulator” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The nurse would perambulate the infant through Kensington Gardens every afternoon.

American English

  • The historical society members perambulated the old township boundaries.

adjective

British English

  • The perambulator trade was brisk in the early 1900s.

American English

  • He studied perambulator designs from the Gilded Age.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used historically in social history, design, or literature (e.g., Victorian material culture).

Everyday

Very rare. The short form 'pram' is everyday in the UK.

Technical

In historical surveying, refers to a measuring wheel.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “perambulator”

Weak

baby transportinfant vehicle

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “perambulator”

backpack carrierbaby sling

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “perambulator”

  • Using 'perambulator' in modern speech sounds unnatural. Confusing it with 'promulgator' (one who proclaims).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A perambulator (or pram) traditionally has the baby lying flat and facing the pusher, designed for newborns. A stroller (or pushchair) typically has the baby sitting up and is for older infants. Modern travel systems combine both functions.

It is understood but is considered a Britishism. Americans overwhelmingly use 'stroller', 'baby carriage', or 'buggy'.

Yes, historically it can refer to a surveying instrument (a measuring wheel) or, humorously, to a person who is walking about.

Language trends move towards shorter, simpler words. 'Perambulator' is a Latinate, multisyllabic word that was replaced by shorter, more colloquial terms like pram, buggy, and stroller.

A baby carriage.

Perambulator: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈrambjʊleɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈæmbjəˌleɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “None specific to the word. The verb 'perambulate' features in legal/jocular idioms like 'perambulate the bounds'.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a PERson AMBUlating (walking) with a laTOR (later, a baby). A perambulator is for walking a baby later.

Conceptual Metaphor

VEHICLE FOR VULNERABILITY (A protective, wheeled shell for the vulnerable infant).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The vintage on display had elaborate brass fittings and a deep, black leather hood.
Multiple Choice

In which context is the word 'perambulator' most likely to be found today?

perambulator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore