permanent way

American  

noun

British.

1. the roadbed and track of a railroad.

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permanent way British  

noun

1. the track of a railway, including the ballast, sleepers, rails, etc

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Etymology

Origin of permanent way

First recorded in 1830–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

permanent way

When even the top 20% of M.B.A. graduates can’t find the type of roles they want, the market for their degrees is changing in a permanent way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

It hasn’t been used as a permanent way to deploy troops into our cities.

From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2026

The terrain is difficult enough and inaccessible enough that it likely would not have been utilized even by pre-Columbian peoples, certainly not in a permanent way.

From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2025

Those joining the call are "ready to help bring an end to this war in a just and permanent way that allows Ukraine to enjoy its freedom", he said.

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2025

They wanted only to observe me from a comfortable distance, not for me to exist in their lives in any permanent way.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

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