trunk line

American  

noun

1. a major long-distance transportation line.

2. trunk.

---

trunk line British  

noun

1. a direct link between two telephone exchanges or switchboards that are a considerable distance apart

2. the main route or routes on a railway

---

Etymology

Origin of trunk line

First recorded in 1850–55

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trunk line

The agency anticipates replacing just over a mile of trunk line across the city this fiscal year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

There are about 547 miles of trunk line underground across the city, much of which is nearing the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced in the coming years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time while crews repair pipe and the road itself after a major trunk line ruptured Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

A stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood remained closed Friday as crews repair a trunk line that ruptured early Thursday, sending thousands of gallons of water rushing down the famed Sunset Strip.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

Normally both sides of trunk line are connected to the live side of the battery and, therefore, there is no difference of potential between them and no tendency to operate the bridged relay.

From Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 A General Reference Work on Telephony, etc. etc. by Samuel McMeen

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---