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

Flanking a stage near the monorail station, you’ll find a glistening white tower, the work of artist and activist Nikkolas Smith, who has adopted the term “artivist.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

The decision comes after years of often bitter debate between theme park operator Flamingo Land and people living in the area who campaigned against the plan to build a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The monorail in 1959 would hint at the possibility of new transit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025

Theme park operator Flamingo Land believed it would be given the go-ahead to build a £40m resort called Lomond Banks, featuring a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 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