Jump To:

• light-rail
  light-rail

  adjective

  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
  light rail

  noun

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

light-rail

American  

[lahyt-rayl] / ˈlaɪtˌreɪl /

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 British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of light-rail

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light-rail light rail

The neighborhood is close to downtown and Johns Hopkins Hospital, where Miller works, and to subway, light-rail and train stations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Denver, Colo., prohibits self-storage facilities near light-rail stations, where officials are hoping for new housing, while Providence, R.I., instituted a city-wide moratorium in 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

Our cellphone and internet plans are half-price, as is the light-rail fare we mentioned earlier and the admission price at cinemas.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 2, 2026

For several hours on Monday, the strike delayed some flight departures at Ben Gurion international airport, curtailed some nonemergency hospital services, and temporarily shut down light-rail systems in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2024

Each project has been both grand and difficult, but like the light-rail system that ultimately will cross Lake Washington, they are adding to the crown jewels of our region.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2023

The data release also covers the London Underground, trams, metros and other light rail services.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

“By carefully choosing our location, 90% of our daily needs are within a 10-minute stroll. Otherwise, we take taxis with an average fare of $2.50 or ride Cuenca’s light rail for 17 cents.”

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

The Southeast Gateway Line, a new 14.5-mile light rail line connecting the A line to Artesia that will serve largely working-class Latino communities across southeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026

NJ Transit suspended bus, light rail and paratransit services Sunday evening and said rail service would halt by 9 p.m.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026

We, therefore, want to explore a variety of paratransit modes, various types of buses, modern rapid transit, regional rail systems and light rail systems.

From State of the Union Address by Jimmy Carter