roadbed

American  

[rohd-bed] / ˈroʊdˌbɛd /

noun

1. Railroads.

   1. the bed or foundation structure for the track of a railroad.

   2. the layer of ballast immediately beneath the ties of a railroad track.

2. the material of which a road is composed.

---

roadbed British  

/ ˈrəʊdˌbɛd /

noun

1. the material used to make a road

2. a layer of ballast that supports the sleepers of a railway track

---

Etymology

Origin of roadbed

1830–40. road + bed

Example Sentences

With crews still working to clear debris from under the freeway, the wooden structure that will support the roadbed around the damaged columns is already being constructed.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2023

She believes raising the roadbed and installing a small wildlife underpass beneath it would significantly reduce the number of newts that die on Chileno Valley Road.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2023

Warming temperatures are accelerating the glacier’s movement downhill, carrying 300 feet of roadbed with it and jeopardizing continued access to some of the park’s key attractions.

From Washington Post • Oct. 15, 2021

The roadbed has slumped about 30 feet since Sept. 6, “already exceeding the total movement seen from October 2020 to March of 2021,” according to a statement from the park.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2021

Some of the ties sink, especially during the rainy season, when the roadbed turns soggy and soft.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario