Railway: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in British English to refer to the system of tracks, stations, and trains used for transportation.

• The new railway line will reduce travel time between the two cities.
• He works for the national railway company.

Commonly used in American English to describe the system of tracks and trains, often evokes a sense of larger networks and infrastructure.

• The railroad company announced a new schedule for the summer.
• The town grew quickly after the railroad was built.

Refers to the physical metal tracks that the train travels on, emphasizes the infrastructure rather than the system.

• The children placed a penny on the train tracks to see what would happen.
• Maintenance workers inspected the train tracks for any damage.

Refers specifically to the set of tracks that a train travels on, often highlighting a particular route or section.

• The construction of the new rail line is expected to be completed next year.
• This rail line connects the downtown area with the suburbs.

Commonly used in British English to refer to the tracks and the system used by trains.

• The new high-speed railway will connect major cities

Commonly used in American English, referring to the entire network of train routes, including tracks, stations, and related infrastructure.

• The country's railroad system is crucial for transporting goods

Broader term that includes all the interconnected rail lines and services offered by trains within a certain area or country.

• The city's train network is very efficient and easy to navigate

Refers specifically to a single route or track that trains travel on.

• The rail line between London and Edinburgh is very busy