brakeman

American  

[breyk-muhn] / ˈbreɪk mən /

noun

plural

brakemen

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

2. brake.

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brakeman British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of brakeman

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

Example Sentences

“It’s terrifying. You’re going super, super fast. As a brakeman you can’t see what’s going on because your head is down,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

Mr. Andre initially found it so difficult to support himself that he worked as a freight brakeman and conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad in New Jersey.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

Teaming with brakeman Kaysha Love, Humphries is fifth at the midway point in 2:03.38 — nearly six-tenths of a second away from what currently is the bronze position.

From Fox News • Feb. 18, 2022

The sled, being driven by Brad Hall with Nick Gleeson as brakeman, turned over after corner 13 at the Yanqing Sliding Centre.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2022

Finally the conductor and the brakeman, with a lantern, came to the rescue.

From "Mr. Popper's Penguins" by Florence Atwater and Richard Atwater