railroad

American  

[reyl-rohd] / ˈreɪlˌroʊd /

noun

1. a permanent road laid with rails, rail, commonly in one or more pairs of continuous lines forming a track or tracks, on which locomotives and cars are run for the transportation of passengers, freight, and mail.

2. an entire system of such roads together with its rolling stock, buildings, etc.; the entire railway plant, including fixed and movable property.

3. the company of persons owning or operating such a plant.

4. Bowling. a split.

5. railroads, stocks or bonds of railroad companies.

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verb (used with object)

1. to transport by means of a railroad.

2. to supply with railroads.

3. Informal. to push (a law or bill) hastily through a legislature so that there is not time enough for objections to be considered.

4. Informal. to convict (a person) in a hasty manner by means of false charges or insufficient evidence.

   The prisoner insisted he had been railroaded.

verb (used without object)

1. to work on a railroad.

railroad British  

/ ˈreɪlˌrəʊd /

noun

1. the usual US word for railway

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verb

1. informal (tr) to force (a person) into (an action) with haste or by unfair means

Other Word Forms

• nonrailroad adjective
• prerailroad adjective
• prorailroad adjective
• unrailroaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of railroad

1750–60; 1875–85 railroad for def. 9; rail ¹ + road

Example Sentences

Renfe, the state-owned railroad company that operated the second train, said it has taken steps to assist passengers and their families, and was working with authorities and emergency services.

From The Wall Street Journal

His portfolio late last year also included bets on Visa, Microsoft, Moody’s and freight railroad company Canadian Pacific Kansas City.

From The Wall Street Journal

Based in Boston, the international corporation networked with dictators and local officials in Central America, many Caribbean islands and parts of South America to acquire immense estates for railroads and banana plantations.

From Salon

Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific runs a railroad network in the western U.S., while Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern operates in the eastern U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

The international corporation networked with dictators and local officials in Central America, many Caribbean islands and parts of South America to acquire immense estates for railroads and banana plantations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rail line
• railway
• subway