transportation

American  

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

noun

transportations plural

1. the act of transporting.

2. the state of being 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

Derived Forms

• nontransportation
  noun
• pretransportation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• transportations
  plural

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

See Examples For:

transportation transportations

Participants who recycled, used reusable cups and containers, took public transportation, ate greener diets, or cycled to work were no less likely to support wider climate policies and collective action.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

As people live longer, social isolation can be a risk for older adults, who may face obstacles such as diminished mobility, limited access to transportation and often, the loss of a loved one or caregiver.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

This includes assisting patients with mail-in ballots and making sure they have transportation to the polls or ballot drop-boxes.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026

Trevor Thomas, senior transportation planner with the city of Santa Monica, said the city’s goal is to use the technology to create a safer city for its residents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Johanna is arranging transportation for those who want to leave the city.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

The government approved the measure after pressure from business and transportations groups and non-governmental organizations, which claim extortion has increased.

From Reuters ● Feb. 21, 2023

The group, which has not rolled out its proposal, is expected to focus on core infrastructure programs, such as transportations systems, at the expense of social spending.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 8, 2021

During their first meeting, the team called out the possible transportations options it might see: electric bikes, mo-peds and scooters, and then hoverboards, Segways and even unicycles.

From New York Times ● Aug. 2, 2018

“Right now this thing is so big, that sometimes it blocks the entire Mississippi River, and when that happens, my phone rings off the hook with transportations companies calling,” Cross said.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 21, 2015

The original St. Patrick's still exists; and, after one or two transportations, has come to a final halt near the Catholic cemetery under the shadow of Lone Mountain.

From In the Footprints of the Padres by Stoddard, Charles Warren

Related Words

• shipment
• shipping
• transit
• transport