monorail

American  

[mon-uh-reyl] / ˈmɒn əˌreɪl /

noun

1. a single rail functioning as a track for wheeled vehicles, as railroad or other cars, balanced upon or suspended from it.

2. a railroad or other transportation system using such a rail.

3. a vehicle traveling on such a rail.

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monorail British  

/ ˈmɒnəʊˌreɪl /

noun

1. a single-rail railway, often elevated and with suspended cars

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Etymology

Origin of monorail

First recorded in 1895–1900; mono- + rail ¹

Explanation

A monorail is similar to a train, but instead of traveling on two tracks, it uses just one. If you visit Tokyo or Disney World, you'll probably travel on a monorail. Most monorails are elevated, with trains either moving above a single track or dangling from it, suspended by a wide rail. They generally run on electricity, which flows through the track and keeps the train moving. The earliest monorails were designed in the late 1800s, and this is also when the word developed, from mono, "one" in Greek, and rail, from the Latin regula, "straight stick."

Example Sentences

Lyster said the possibility of expanding the Disneyland monorail has not come up in “recent discussions,” since the newer options might turn out to be environmentally friendlier and less costly.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

Meanwhile, chaos erupted on Tuesday after a monorail system, which was reportedly full far beyond its capacity, halted mid-track.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

Theme park operator Flamingo Land wants to build a £40m resort called Lomond Banks, featuring a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants.

From BBC • May 16, 2025

Bob Gurr, the designer of the monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Haunted Mansion ‘doom buggies’ and more, isn’t slowing down.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2025

Lenina, meanw hile, had turned her eyes away and was looking perpendicularly downwards at the monorail station.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

• rail line
• railway
• subway