railway

[ reyl-wey ]

noun

1. a rail line with lighter-weight equipment and roadbed than a main-line railroad.
2. a railroad, especially one operating over relatively short distances.
3. Also called trackway. any line or lines of rails rail forming a road of flanged-wheel equipment.
4. Chiefly British. railroad.

railway

/ ˈreɪlˌweɪ /

noun

1. a permanent track composed of a line of parallel metal rails fixed to sleepers, for transport of passengers and goods in trains
2. any track on which the wheels of a vehicle may run

   a cable railway

3. the entire equipment, rolling stock, buildings, property, and system of tracks used in such a transport system
4. the organization responsible for operating a railway network
5. modifier of, relating to, or used on a railway or railways

   a railway strike

   a railway engine

Other Words From

• railwayed adjective
• railwayless adjective
• inter·railway adjective
• pre·railway adjective
• un·railwayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of railway¹

First recorded in 1770–80; rail ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

Staff at Network Rail will also be equipped with specialist kits to defrost frozen points and signals to keep the railway running safely.

From BBC

The Department for Transport has promised “the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation, including simplifying fares”.

From BBC

The new network will use the European railway track width and connect seamlessly with railways across the EU.

From BBC

Authorities say at least 25 people have been killed after a bomb exploded at a railway station in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

From BBC

Other more expensive options, including a bored tunnel and re-routing the railway, were considered.

From BBC

Related Words

• line
• rail line
• track