brakeman

[breyk-muhn]

noun

plural

brakemen 

1. a railroad worker who assists the conductor in the operation of a train.

2. brake.

brakeman

/ ˈbreɪkmən /

noun

1. a crew member of a goods or passenger train. His duties include controlling auxiliary braking power and inspecting the train

2. the person at the back of a two- or four-man bobsleigh, who operates the brake

Word History and Origins

Origin of brakeman¹

First recorded in 1825–35; brake ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

The brakeman tried to apply emergency brakes but failed to prevent the derailment, The cause of the crash remains unknown.

From BBC

The brakeman tried to apply emergency brakes but failed to prevent the derailment, the investigators added.

From BBC

His father was a brakeman for the Central of Georgia rail company, and when his parents separated when he was 10, Nate moved with his mother and brothers to Elizabeth, N.J., where his grandmother lived.

From Los Angeles Times

He is considered one of Great Britain's best bobsleigh brakemen, having won 15 World Cup medals - including three golds - as part of the two-man and four-man teams.

From BBC

His father, who worked as a brakeman to supplement the family income, froze to death in a local railyard when Frank was 13.

From New York Times