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

Example Sentences

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

The result is that we can genetically label those cells in a permanent way.

From Scientific American • Sep. 15, 2023

AP: After all that, would you say the character has changed you in any permanent way?

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2023

They accepted it as a permanent way of life, had never known it otherwise nor expected it to stop.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck