bullet train

noun

: a high-speed passenger train especially of Japan

Examples of bullet train in a Sentence

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.
Five years later, in his first State of the State address, Newsom once again questioned the bullet train’s viability. Dan Walters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026 The nose of a Japanese bullet train, for example, was redesigned based on the beak of a kingfisher, a bird natural selection enabled to dive into water with minimal splash. Owen D. Jones, The Conversation, 26 May 2026 That’s when a sleek, silver, oversized high-speed bullet train arrives on the scene. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 Japan is also safe and has reliable infrastructure, with its clean bullet trains, which make getting from one city to the next easy. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bullet train

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bullet train was in 1966

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Cite this Entry

“Bullet train.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullet%20train. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

bullet train

noun
: a very high-speed passenger train
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