railroad

[ reyl-rohd ]

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.

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

/ ˈreɪlˌrəʊd /

noun

1. See railway
   the usual US word for railway

verb

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

Other Words From

• non·railroad adjective
• pre·railroad adjective
• pro·railroad adjective
• un·railroaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of railroad¹

1750–60; 1875–85 railroad fordef 9; rail ¹ + road

Example Sentences

Interestingly, railroad lines often provide not only habitat, but also linear travel corridors that connect open green spaces.

From Popular-Science

The country’s passenger railroad is spending $3 million in cash bonuses to encourage workers to get a coronavirus vaccine, an effort to speed protection of its workforce and passengers.

From Washington Post

She said the railroad can report security issues, including mask policy violators, to the TSA for further investigation and potential civil fines.

From Washington Post

The technology, being tested in Japan, would also revolutionize train travel in the country and operate separately from existing railroad lines.

From Washington Post

Deputies with the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office found Mitchell in the woods near some railroad tracks and not far from the crash site.

From Washington Post

It was from a former Railroad Commission employee who had gone to work for an oil and gas developer.

From The Daily Beast

A Railroad Commission employee drove him 80 miles to his home in Freer.

From The Daily Beast

Kocurek and Wright, who worked in different Railroad Commission districts, were fired within months of each other in 2013.

From The Daily Beast

But two oil and gas inspectors for the Texas Railroad Commission may have done their jobs just a little too well.

From The Daily Beast

He said he prefers to forget about his 18-month stint with the Railroad Commission.

From The Daily Beast

At six o'clock I felt once more the welcome motion of a Railroad car, and at eight was in Venice.

From Project Gutenberg

The old stage-road from Dublin to Galway measures 133 miles, or nearly seven more than the Railroad.

From Project Gutenberg

A little inquiry by the officers showed that the trouble originated in the rejection of the bills by the railroad.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably he indited something fully equal to the London Times Georgia railroad story.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be that gasolene and repairs cost more than a railroad fare once a week, but I have abstained from making a comparison.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rail line
• railway
• subway