subway

noun

sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā How to pronounce subway (audio)
: an underground way: such as
a
: a passage under a street (as for pedestrians, power cables, or water or gas mains)
b
: a usually electric underground railway
c
subway intransitive verb

Examples of subway in a Sentence

I took the subway to midtown. No one on the subway seemed to mind how crowded it was. I've been on both the New York subway and the Underground in London.
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.
Six people died subway surfing back in 2024, up from five in 2023, and the recent deaths of two girls could reflect an escalation in fatalities related to the practice, and all this despite extensive public safety campaigns. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 For their last session, Mamdani and the therapist rode the subway together. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 For anyone who frequents the subway (or Equinox), the Beats Solo are ubiquitous. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 That would cut off access to the narrow gaps between train cars where subway surfers use handholds to hoist themselves onto the roof. Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subway

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subway was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subway. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

subway

noun
sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā How to pronounce subway (audio)
1
: an underground passage
2
: a usually electric underground railway

More from Merriam-Webster on subway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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