ENGLISH
REFERENCE

railway

n.
US //ˈɹeɪɫˌweɪ// UK //ɹˈeɪlweɪ// rail·way
  1. 1 transport system (n.)
    A2 Elementary British English

    the whole system of trains, tracks, and stations.

    the entire network and organisation of rail transport, including infrastructure and services.

    Example

    The national railway connects all the major cities in the country.

    Example

    The expansion of the national railway facilitated rapid industrial growth by connecting remote mining regions with coastal ports.

    Usage

    In American English, 'railroad' is the standard term for this system.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'railway' is the standard term in the UK and most Commonwealth countries, 'railroad' is the primary term in the United States.
  2. 2 the tracks (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    the metal tracks that a train travels on.

    the physical permanent way consisting of parallel steel rails fixed to sleepers.

    Example

    It is dangerous and illegal to walk along the railway.

    Example

    Engineers worked through the night to repair a section of the railway that had been damaged by the heavy flooding.

    Usage

    Often used with 'the' when referring to the physical tracks.
Origin

From rail + way.

Word family

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