light-rail

[ lahyt-reyl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a local rail rapid-transit system using large, single passenger cars, railroad-type signals, and, usually, private rights-of-way.

light rail

noun

1. a transport system using small trains or trams, often serving parts of a large metropolitan area

Word History and Origins

Origin of light-rail¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

There is an at-grade light-rail line that for a couple of miles runs right along the Green Line that separates West from East.

From The Daily Beast

That song would soon morph from the jaunty clip of the light rail to the siren sounds of jazz.

From The Daily Beast

The light rail line that links West Jerusalem with Israeli settlements in the east of the city has been trashed.

From The Daily Beast

And light rail systems have sprung up or expanded in Houston, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Denver.

From The Daily Beast

Pressed by local developers and planners, some aspirational cities spend heavily on urban transit, including light rail.

From The Daily Beast

These opinions are based on certain cases in the colonies, where it was thought fit to adopt a light rail weighing about 18 lb.

From Project Gutenberg

Here they were laying a light rail from the beach up with trucks for carrying shells and parts of big guns.

From Project Gutenberg