fire truck

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /faɪɚ tɹʌk/

Etymology

fire + truck

Noun

fire truck (plural fire trucks)

1. (firefighting) A ladder truck, a vehicle used by firefighters to gain access to the upper stories of a building. Typically, a fire truck has a hydraulic system which operates a large, heavy-duty ladder mounted on top of the truck body, space for portable ladders to be stored and compartments for holding other tools that may be needed. Unlike a fire engine, trucks do not have pumps or carry water.
2. Any fire apparatus, such as a fire truck or fire engine.

Synonyms

• fire engine
• hook-n-ladder

Related terms

• fire department
• fire service

Translations

ladder truck

• Finnish: tikasauto (fi)

fire truck in general — see fire engine