bullet train

American  

noun

1. a high-speed passenger train, as on certain routes in Japan.

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bullet train British  

noun

1. a passenger train that travels at very high speed

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Etymology

Origin of bullet train

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

She had just taken a two-hour ride on the bullet train from Daegu to attend Lee Sulla's "book concert" in Seoul - an evening of music and author-led readings.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Winds are slowly blowing sand into the 75-mile trench meant to hold a bullet train, while once-bustling worker camps have turned to ghost towns, one former employee said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

But the silent engine isn’t a bullet train.

From Barron's • Nov. 15, 2025

Rising Bullet Train Fares: China is taking the rare step of sharply increasing fares for riders on four major bullet train lines, in its broadest move to address rising costs and heavy debts..

From New York Times • May 17, 2024

“Maybe. I don't know yet. Only takes twenty-three hours by bullet train to get to New York City. I looked it up.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton