caravan

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A company of travelers journeying together, as across a desert or through hostile territory.
2. n. A single file of vehicles or pack animals.
3. n. A large covered vehicle; a van.
4. n. Chiefly British A trailer or dwelling place on wheels.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants, in many parts of Asia and Africa, who associate together that they may travel with greater security, especially through deserts or regions infested by robbers. Nearly all commerce in these countries was formerly carried on by caravans, using camels chiefly for transportation; and they are still numerous, though largely superseded by other methods.
2. n. Figuratively, any large number of persons traveling together, especially when moving slowly or with much baggage; poetically, any large number of persons, or even animals, considered as traveling together to a common destination.
3. n. A large covered carriage used for conveying passengers, or a company of people traveling together, or a traveling exhibition or show; hence, any large covered wagon or cart for travel or transport: often abbreviated to van.
4. n. A number of vessels or barks in company, or an expedition with such vessels.
5. n. A hood with hoops or springs of whalebone and an adjustable veil for the face.

Wiktionary

1. n. A convoy or procession of travelers, their vehicles and cargo, and any pack animals, especially camels crossing a desert.
2. n. A furnished vehicle towed behind a car etc and used as a dwelling when stationary.
3. v. To travel in a caravan.
4. v. To stay in a caravan.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants, organized and equipped for a long journey, or marching or traveling together, esp. through deserts and countries infested by robbers or hostile tribes, as in Asia or Africa.
2. n. A large, covered wagon, or a train of such wagons, for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition; an itinerant show, as of wild beasts.
3. n. A covered vehicle for carrying passengers or for moving furniture, etc.; -- sometimes shorted into van.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. travel in a caravan
2. n. a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
3. n. a camper equipped with living quarters