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

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.
Located in Canon City, about an hour’s drive from Colorado Springs or two hours from Denver, the historic railway dates back to 1879. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 The region also has plans for a number of large infrastructure projects including more railways and flights, Chen said. ABC News, 10 June 2026 Inspired by old-fashioned railway carriages, the unit features discreet doors that blend elegantly into the African hardwood veneer. Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 10 June 2026 San Diego Trolley service, which runs alongside Harbor Drive and the railway tracks, has not been disrupted. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Railway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/railway. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

railway

noun
rail·​way ˈrā(ə)l-ˌwā How to pronounce railway (audio)

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