railway

noun

rail·​way ˈrāl-ˌwā How to pronounce railway (audio)
Synonyms of railwaynext
: railroad
especially : a railroad operating with light equipment or within a small area

Synonyms of railway

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Examples of railway in a Sentence

a system of railways that crisscrosses the whole nation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s a nice localised touch via a railway footbridge on the approach depicting the highs of Southampton’s football history and the delights of the city centre, particularly Oxford Street, can be enjoyed before strolling on to the match. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Torrential downpours routinely inundate roads and railway lines, disrupt air and rail traffic. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 In June 2026, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding on railway connectivity that includes reviving and upgrading the century-old Hejaz Railway to reconnect Turkey to Saudi Arabia via Jordan and Syria. — Firmesk Rahim, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026 The main targets of the attack were warehouse facilities belonging to civilian businesses, Zelenskyy said Wednesday, alongside strikes on infrastructure and a railway station. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for railway

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of railway was in 1681

Phrases Containing railway

Rhymes for railway

See All Rhymes for railway

Browse Nearby Words

rail-water
railway
railwayac
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Cite this Entry

“Railway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/railway. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on railway

Nglish: Translation of railway for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about railway

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