intermodal

[in-ter-mohd-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.

intermodal

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• intermodalism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermodal¹

First recorded in 1960–65; inter- + modal

Example Sentences

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.

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

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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.

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

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The company’s intermodal business expands profit margins despite low volume growth, while the truckload business sees lower income on higher sales.

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