SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

superelevation

play

noun su·per·el·e·va·tion \-ˌe-lə-ˈvā-shən\

Definition of superelevation

1 : the vertical distance between the heights of inner and outer edges of highway pavement or railroad rails
2 : additional elevation

First Known Use of superelevation

1840

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up superelevation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

crucible

play

a severe test

Words at Play

Words and Phrases That Come from the Dinner Table

Fill your plate with these surprising food words

ghost-being-disinvited-from-party

'Disinvite' or 'Uninvite'?

A disinvited guest is an uninvited problem

alt-596f730ceb5ae

Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

alt-596e1a928254c

Words We're Watching: 'Fidget Spinner'

Don't fight the fad

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz

A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

Play the game