trunk line

American  

noun

1. a major long-distance transportation line.

2. trunk.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of trunk line

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trunk line

The reopening of Sunset Boulevard this week following a trunk line break that inundated West Hollywood with 17 million gallons of water hit a setback on Wednesday when crews discovered another leak.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

In 2018, more than 50% of trunk line segments were more than 65 years old and 11% were more than 100 years old, the report states.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

A section of Sunset Boulevard could continue to be closed for days as crews repair a ruptured trunk line that inundated West Hollywood with about 17 million gallons of water last week.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The rupture of a 3-foot-wide trunk line Thursday morning sent 17 million gallons of water into a West Hollywood neighborhood, from the Sunset Strip downhill beyond Santa Monica Boulevard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

A second later he was speaking with the man who had actually witnessed the cutting of the trunk line.

From The Invasion by Le Queux, William