public transit

noun

variants US public transit or British public transport
: mass transit
public transit remains the smartest way to navigate hectic downtowns.National Geographer Traveler
… jobs restoring our water sewage systems, our highways and bridges, our public transit system and our crumbling schools, ports and public buildings.Ralph Nader

Examples of public transit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Preliminary data from transportation officials also suggest that the closure has prompted more Angelenos to take public transit, heeding calls from local officials. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023 Some ideas include creating more bus lanes, increasing rail service and making public transit fare-free during the shutdown. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023 The Invisible Mask was marketed as effective in public spaces and crowded areas, as well as on public transit like buses and subways. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023 Japan is home to an untold number of conveniences and delights that American consumers regularly go without: Faster public transit! Rachel Gutman-Wei, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2023 People are more likely to use public transit when trains, buses and on-demand services are more frequent, convenient and affordable. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2023 Video of the incident has since gone viral on TikTok, prompting discussions over public transit safety. Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2023 About 19% of riders go on to use Metrolink, a train or other form of public transit, surveys show. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 The nearest totally public beach might be a long drive away or far from public transit. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'public transit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public transit was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near public transit

Cite this Entry

“Public transit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20transit. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!