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

Explanation

If you spend $60 a month on subway fare, then your monthly transportation cost is $60, meaning it costs you $60 each month to get from one place to another. The noun transportation often is used to describe the process of moving things. You might make transportation arrangements, for example, for shipping a pet across the country. Transportation can also refer to a formal system for moving things from place to place, like a public transportation system like the subway or public bus or a transportation company that specializes in moving goods from coast to coast.

Example Sentences

The strait is an important transportation point for 20% of the world’s oil and large amounts of liquefied natural gas, chemicals, and other products.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Food prices were unchanged from February to March, but analysts said those may rise in the months ahead, as the impact of higher transportation and fertiliser costs starts to be felt.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The company cited strong results so far and said it has factored in higher transportation costs in some markets due to the war.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

I think her spirit is just all throughout Los Angeles; she was a public transportation rider for life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

I spoke only to thank my uncle after he had given me transportation money to use if I decided to visit on my own.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

Related Words

• shipment
• shipping
• transit
• transport