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Yellow cab

YEL-oh CAB

Local meaning

A medallion taxi recognizable by its yellow color and authorized to accept street hails throughout New York City.

Yellow cab is the everyday name for the city’s traditional yellow taxicab fleet. Riders can hail one on the street or use approved electronic systems, and the vehicle operates under Taxi and Limousine Commission rules.

Example in context

  1. “We hailed a yellow cab outside the hotel.”

How it is used

Official New York City taxi category and a widely recognized symbol of the city.

Tone

neutral, practical, iconic

Setting

street hails, airports, tourism, commuting, late-night travel

Regional scope

Official New York City taxi category and a widely recognized symbol of the city.

Watch for

Availability, fares, surcharges, accessibility features, and airport rules can change; consult current TLC information for trip-specific details.

Spelling and scope

Official New York City taxi category and a widely recognized symbol of the city.

Search forms
yellow cab NYC meaningNew York yellow taxihail yellow cab

LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.

Frequently asked questions

Where can a yellow cab pick up street hails?

Yellow taxis are authorized to accept street hails throughout New York City.

Is every yellow car a licensed taxi?

No. Look for official taxi markings, license information, and TLC identifiers.

Read next

All words →

Evidence and further reading

These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.