transportation

American  

[trans-per-tey-shuhn] / ˌtræns pərˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of transporting.

2. the state of being transported. transported.

3. the means of transport or conveyance.

4. the business of conveying people, goods, etc.

5. price of travel or transport by public conveyance; fare.

6. tickets or permits for transport or travel.

7. banishment, as of a criminal to a penal colony; deportation.

8. Also called Transportation Department.  (initial capital letter) the Department of Transportation.

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transportation British  

/ ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a means or system of transporting

2. the act of transporting or the state of being transported

3. (esp formerly) deportation to a penal colony

4. a ticket or fare

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Other Word Forms

• nontransportation noun
• pretransportation noun

Etymology

Origin of transportation

First recorded in 1530–40; transport + -ation

Example Sentences

Orders minus transportation rose a healthy 0.8% in February and increased for the 11th straight month.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.8%, the Commerce Department said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

District-employed bus drivers would be on strike, limiting transportation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

While the common rhetoric often makes it seem like energy and environmental goals are at odds, examples among leading energy and transportation companies have shown otherwise.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

“The rest is for all the trouble,” Mrs. Trepid said, “and for transportation and documents and such.”

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech

Related Words

• shipment
• shipping
• transit
• transport