I. ˈkarəˌvan, -aa(ə)n also -er- or -_vən; Brit often ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈvan noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian caravana, carovana, from Persian kārwān
1.
a. : a company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants on a long journey through desert or hostile regions : a train of pack animals
b. : a group of vehicles proceeding or traveling together in a file
a caravan of buses
2. obsolete
a. : a Russian or Turkish fleet especially of merchant ships with convoy
b. : a sea campaign against the Muslims obligatory upon each member of the Knights of Malta
3. : a covered vehicle : van: as
a. : a covered wagon or motortruck equipped as traveling living quarters or office
b. Britain : trailer 4e
II. verb
( caravaned or caravanned ; caravaned or caravanned ; caravaning or caravanning ; caravans )
transitive verb
: to convey in a caravan
intransitive verb
: to travel in a caravan