railway

noun

rail·​way ˈrāl-ˌwā 

: railroad

especially : a railroad operating with light equipment or within a small area

Synonyms of railway

• road
• railroad

Examples of railway in a Sentence

a system of railways that crisscrosses the whole nation

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s unlikely to be much appetite in the country or elsewhere in the region for an overhaul – especially as China and Brazil are planning a railway corridor linking the country, and its exports like soybeans and iron ore, to the Peruvian port. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026

Two railway brands are shaping that revival, according to Saad. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Investors are watching specific themes, including state-run companies, defense, roads and railways, and brokerages and exchanges, for potential impacts from the budget. —Ashutosh Joshi, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing railway

• cog railway
• rack railway
• scenic railway
• street railway

Rhymes for railway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

railway

noun

rail·​way ˈrā(ə)l-ˌwā 

: railroad entry 1