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way station

American  

noun

  1. a station intermediate between principal stations, as on a railroad.


Etymology

Origin of way station

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A similar lawsuit was filed earlier in June at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to halt US deportations to Equatorial Guinea, which has also served as a way station for African deportees.

From Barron's Jun. 30, 2026

Tonopah, built by the mining industry around 1900 and depleted as the gold, silver, lead and mercury waned, is a remote way station about halfway between Reno and Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 14, 2026

After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021, Camp As Sayliyah was meant to serve as a safe way station for Afghans who worked with the U.S. and applied to come to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 7, 2026

Rather than as a permanent habitat, early humans probably used this volcanic cave as a way station during migrations between oases.

From New York Times Apr. 17, 2024

Department 11 is a way station, a courtroom you pass through on your way to someplace else.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

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