Cart

A cart is a vehicle or device wheels for transport.

Hand-carts pushed by humans have been used around the world. In the 19th century, for isntance, some Mormons travelling across the plains of the USA between 1857 and 1865 used handcarts. Perhaps the most common exmaple toady is the shopping cart, which has also come to have a metaphorical meaning in relation to online purchases.

Larger carts can are drawn by animals, usually pack animals such horses, mules, or oxen. Carts are named by what pulls them such as horsecarts or oxcarts. Such a cart can have the traditional alternative name of wain, for example a haywain, and the builders of such vehicles became known as "cartwrights" or "wainwrights". These terms survive as surnames of those descended from those practising these trades. Note too the surname "Carter".

Physically, carts have many different shapes, but the basic idea of transporting material (or maintaining a collection of materials in a portable fashion) remains. Carts typically have two or four wheels. Those with four usually have a pivoting front axle. A cart can be pushed or pulled a cart, certain conventions appear to obtain, possibly depending on the number of wheels and the perceived value of the load.

A stroller, used to transport a sitting toddler, and perambulators, for transport of a lying baby, are also forms of cart.

The golf cart is another well known modern type of cart.

The term "Kart", derived from "cart", refers to a small racing car - also known as a "Go-Kart".

See also: carriage, chariot, sulky, wagon, wain, wheelbarrow.