What does "railway" mean?

1. (transport system) the whole system of trains, tracks, and stations. 2. (the tracks) the metal tracks that a train travels on.

How do you use "railway"?

In American English, 'railroad' is the standard term for this system. Often used with 'the' when referring to the physical tracks.

A2 · Elementary Countable noun British English

n. the whole system of trains, tracks, and stations.

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

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

“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.

Teaching tip

While 'railway' is the standard term in the UK and most Commonwealth countries, 'railroad' is the primary term in the United States.

Synonyms

railroadrail network

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. the metal tracks that a train travels on.

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

“It is dangerous and illegal to walk along the railway.”

“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.

Synonyms

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “railway” in context.

01. railway station

From rail + way.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

englishreference.com/q/railway