Trams

/træmz/ noun

Definition

Vehicles that run on rails laid in streets and carry passengers, powered by overhead electric wires.

Etymology

From Dutch 'tram' meaning 'a beam or shaft,' originally referring to the rails or track system. Adopted into English in the 19th century as these electric street vehicles became popular in Europe and America.

Kelly Says

Trams are basically streetcars that seem quaint now, but they revolutionized cities by moving lots of people efficiently—they're still the backbone of transportation in European cities because they never got replaced with buses!

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