subway

noun

sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā 

: 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

: underpass

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

Google Maps can better help with other forms of transportation, such as buses and subways. —PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025

New York City has seen a slight decrease in transit crime since last year — but a small uptick in subway assaults. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

The side drawstring pull-tabs and magnetic closure make this crossbody secure enough to use while running errands, sightseeing during a trip, or riding the local subway. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025

Featuring the works of artist Michael Storrings, the puzzle artfully depicts a snowy winter scene in New York City, complete with the subway line, skyscrapers, bright yellow taxis, storefronts, and, of course, pedestrians strolling the streets. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing subway

• subway train

Rhymes for subway

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

Kids Definition

subway

noun

sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā 

1

: an underground passage

2

: a usually electric underground railway