intermodal

American  

[in-ter-mohd-l] / ˌɪn tərˈmoʊd l /

adjective

Transportation.

1. pertaining to or suitable for transportation involving more than one form of carrier, as truck and rail, or truck, ship, and rail.

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intermodal British  

/ ˌɪntəˈməʊdəl /

adjective

1. (of a transport system) using different modes of conveyance in conjunction, such as ships, aircraft, road vehicles, etc

2. (of a container) able to be carried by different modes of conveyance without being unpacked

3. psychol denoting an interaction between different senses

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Other Word Forms

• intermodalism noun

Etymology

Origin of intermodal

First recorded in 1960–65; inter- + modal

Example Sentences

At the same time, intermodal traffic in Canada continues to increase, with shipments originating in Canada up an eighth straight month to the second-highest volume on record for the month.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Canadian railroad says 3Q revenue of C$4.2 billion was driven by an 11% increase in intermodal transport, which are containers that can be transferred between trains, trucks, and ships.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rise was driven by higher volumes of domestic loadings, both non-intermodal and intermodal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Earlier Thursday, Union Pacific reported higher profit and sales in its third quarter, despite a softer intermodal market that reflected lower consumer demand and import volume.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lower export coal prices and a decline in merchandise volume partially offset increases in other revenue, higher merchandise pricing and intermodal volume growth.

From The Wall Street Journal