omnibus

/ˈɑːmnəbəs/
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A once-common word for a public bus, now better known for collected editions and broad packages such as bills that combine many provisions.

Examples

  • The museum restored a Victorian omnibus for the transport exhibit.
  • An omnibus survey asked voters about transport, housing, and schools.
  • Her short stories appeared together in a single omnibus.
  • Fans waited for the Sunday omnibus of the radio drama.
  • The contract includes an omnibus clause for future subsidiaries.

Similar words

compendium
general
motorbus
collection
volume
sweeping
transit bus
collected edition
bus
wide-ranging

Meanings

Public bus or carriage

noun
transportation
neutral
A large public vehicle that carries many passengers on a regular route, now mostly historical or formal for a bus.

Examples

  • The horse-drawn omnibus stopped at the market square.
  • Early commuters crowded into the city omnibus.
  • The museum restored a Victorian omnibus for the transport exhibit.
  • In the novel, servants ride home on the last omnibus.
  • The word omnibus was later shortened to bus.
  • A guide described the old Paris omnibus routes.

Similar words

Collected edition

noun
media
neutral
A book, volume, or broadcast edition that gathers previously separate works, stories, articles, or episodes into one package.

Examples

  • The publisher issued an omnibus of the first three novels.
  • Fans waited for the Sunday omnibus of the radio drama.
  • The comic omnibus collects twenty early issues.
  • Her short stories appeared together in a single omnibus.
  • The omnibus edition added notes and a new foreword.
  • The streaming service promoted an omnibus of the week's episodes.

Similar words

Including many items

adjective
government
neutral
Including many different things, cases, or provisions in one package, especially when a bill or measure deals with several matters at once.

Examples

  • Congress debated an omnibus spending bill late into the night.
  • The committee rejected an omnibus amendment covering unrelated issues.
  • Researchers used an omnibus test before comparing individual groups.
  • The contract includes an omnibus clause for future subsidiaries.
  • An omnibus survey asked voters about transport, housing, and schools.
  • The city prepared an omnibus reform package.

Similar words

Etymology

Borrowed in the early nineteenth century from French omnibus, short for voiture omnibus, from Latin omnibus meaning "for all", the dative plural of omnis meaning "all". The shorter word bus was clipped from omnibus soon afterward.

FAQ

What does omnibus mean?

Omnibus can mean an old or formal public bus, a collected edition of works or episodes, or something broad that includes many items.

Is omnibus the same as bus?

In transport, omnibus is the older word that was shortened to bus, but bus is the normal modern term.

What is an omnibus edition?

An omnibus edition gathers works, stories, articles, or broadcast episodes that were originally separate.

What is an omnibus bill?

An omnibus bill is a broad bill that packages many provisions, often several subjects or spending measures, into one legislative measure.

What is the plural of omnibus?

The usual plural is omnibuses, and omnibusses is also recorded.

Where does omnibus come from?

Omnibus comes through French from Latin omnibus, meaning "for all".

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