motor court
A dated North American term for what we now call a motel — a roadside lodging built to accommodate travelers arriving by car, with parking right outside each room.
Definitions
A dated North American term for what we now call a motel — a roadside lodging built to accommodate travelers arriving by car, with parking right outside each room. Motor courts were the mid-20th century answer to long road trips, giving drivers a convenient, affordable place to stop without the formality of a traditional hotel. The term conjures neon signs, Route 66, and the golden age of American road travel before 'motel' became the universal word.
They pulled off the highway and checked into a motor court just outside of Amarillo for the night.
Comments
(North America, dated) A motel.
Comments
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "motor court".
🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "motor court" (M)
Browse all slang words starting with M.
Related terms
People also read
Semantically related
- auto court85%
Auto court is a dated North American term for a motel — the roadside accommodation designed specifically for travelers arriving by car. Back when motels were a fresh concept in mid-20th century America, 'auto court' described those early motor-friendly lodgings where you could pull right up to your room. The term has largely been replaced by 'motel' and 'motor inn,' but auto court has a nostalgic charm that evokes Route 66, road trip culture, and the golden age of American automobile travel.
- auto court74%
(North America, dated) A motel.
- motorcamp59%
(NZ) A campground for people arriving in a motor vehicle.
- drive-in57%
(Philippines) motel; motor inn.