caboose

/kəˈbus/

/kəˈbus/

Other forms: cabooses

A caboose is a train car that is usually at the end. If you are pulling up the rear, you could call yourself the caboose.

The engine is the first car on a freight train, and the last car is usually the caboose. Besides being last, the other feature of a caboose is its use by the crew. Most of a freight train will be filled with whatever cargo they're transporting, and they need to use that space as efficiently as possible. The caboose is where the crew can hang out during the trip. If there's a kitchen on the train, it will usually be in the caboose.

Definitions of caboose

1. noun

   a car on a freight train for use of the train crew; usually the last car on the train
   synonyms: cabin car

   type of:

   car, railcar, railroad car, railway car

   a wheeled vehicle adapted to the rails of railroad
2. noun

   the area for food preparation on a ship
   synonyms: cookhouse, galley, ship's galley

   types:

   cuddy

   the galley or pantry of a small ship

   type of:

   kitchen

   a room equipped for preparing meals