chariot

/ˈtʃɛriət/

/ˈtʃæriɪt/

Other forms: chariots; charioted; charioting

A chariot is a small carriage pulled by horses. In the ancient world, chariots were usually the fastest way to travel, and also a convenient method for transporting armies and archery platforms.

In ancient Rome, chariots were used in races and processions, while the Hittites used them for waging battles. Ancient Greece and Rome both had famous tales of warring charioteers, but both societies mainly used chariots for racing and parading. One Greek myth describes the sun god Helios's son, Phaethon, inexpertly driving the horse-drawn sun chariot for a day and nearly setting the Earth on fire.

Definitions of chariot

1. noun

   a two-wheeled horse-drawn battle vehicle; used in war and races in ancient Egypt and Greece and Rome
   type of:

   horse-drawn vehicle

   a wheeled vehicle drawn by one or more horses
2. noun

   a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage
   type of:

   carriage, equipage, rig

   a vehicle with wheels drawn by one or more horses
3. verb

   ride in a chariot
   type of:

   ride

   be carried or travel on or in a vehicle
4. verb

   transport in a chariot
   type of:

   carry, transport

   move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body