Vehicles and transport in English, with pictures
This page teaches common words for different types of vehicles and transport. Try naming the vehicles you see on your way to work or school.
/væn/
A medium-sized motor vehicle used for carrying goods or several people.
“They rented a white van to move their furniture.”
scooter
/ˈskuːtər/
A small board with wheels and a handle that you ride standing up.
“He rides an electric scooter to work every morning.”
motorcycle
/ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkəl/
A fast two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine.
“Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.”
ambulance
/ˈæm.bjə.ləns/
A special vehicle that carries sick or injured people to the hospital.
“The ambulance arrived quickly to help the injured driver.”
fire truck
/ˈfaɪər trʌk/
A large vehicle with ladders and water hoses to stop burning buildings.
“A bright red fire truck raced down the street.”
pickup truck
/ˈpɪk.ʌp trʌk/
A vehicle with an open back area for carrying heavy things.
“He loaded bags of soil into his pickup truck.”
tractor
/ˈtræktər/
A strong vehicle with big rear wheels used to work on farms.
“The farmer drives his tractor across the field.”
/ˈhɛlɪkɒptər/
A flying machine with large spinning blades on top.
“A rescue helicopter landed on the hospital roof.”
hot air balloon
/hɒt eə bəˈluːn/
A huge bag filled with warm air that carries a passenger basket.
“We flew in a hot air balloon at sunrise.”
submarine
/ˌsʌbməˈriːn/
A vessel designed to travel and work deep under the sea.
“Scientists explored the ocean floor in a small submarine.”
/kəˈnuː/
A narrow light boat that you move with a single paddle.
“We paddled our canoe across the quiet lake.”
kayak
/ˈkaɪæk/
A small light boat driven with a two-bladed paddle.
“She rented a kayak for the weekend.”
sailboat
/ˈseɪlboʊt/
A boat that moves across the water using the wind.
“They spent the afternoon sailing on a wooden sailboat.”
cruise ship
/kruːz ʃɪp/
A huge luxury boat that carries holiday travelers across the sea.
“The cruise ship stopped at three different islands.”
lighthouse
/ˈlaɪt.haʊs/
A coastal tower with a powerful beam to guide ocean vessels.
“The old lighthouse warned ships away from dangerous rocks.”
bulldozer
/ˈbʊlˌdoʊzər/
A heavy construction machine with a front metal blade for pushing earth.
“The yellow bulldozer cleared the rocky ground quickly.”
excavator
/ˈek.skə.veɪ.tər/
A large machine with a bucket used for digging deep holes.
“The excavator dug a large trench for new pipes.”
forklift
/ˈfɔːrklɪft/
A small warehouse vehicle with metal prongs for lifting heavy pallets.
“The worker used a forklift to unload the boxes.”
cable car
/ˈkeɪ.bəl ˌkɑːr/
A cabin that hangs from metal ropes to travel up mountains.
“We rode the cable car to reach the peak.”
