wagon-lit

noun

wa·gon-lit vä-gōⁿ-ˈlē

plural wagons-lits or wagon-lits vä-gōⁿ-ˈlē(z)

: a railroad sleeping car

Word History

Etymology

French, from wagon railroad car + lit bed

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of wagon-lit was in 1884

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wagon-lit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/wagon-lit. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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