switchyard
noun
switch·yard
ˈswich-ˌyärd 
: a usually enclosed area for the switching facilities of a power station
Examples of switchyard in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Air pollution in Joppa has been tied to nearby industrial sources, including an asphalt shingle plant, a railroad switchyard and other facilities.
—
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
According to earlier filings and reports, the JVR Energy Park’s active area would cover about 600 acres, which would include solar panels, battery storage modules, an on-site substation and a switchyard.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
There would be a total of 14 data center buildings, along with two electrical substations, a utility switchyard and stormwater detention basins, according to plans.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
And finally, the remainder could go to distributed energy generation, the protection of critical infrastructure such as switchyards and electrical substations, and humanitarian needs.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
The switchyard runs parallel to New Mexico’s primary east-west interstate, creating a half-mile-wide chasm for pedestrians between Gallup’s historic downtown and the newer stores and restaurants on the other side.
—USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024
The lines carry electricity from power plants to switchyards to substations and then to neighborhoods.
—The Arizona Republic, 23 Jan. 2024
Since the birth of modern power grids, millions of transformers on street poles and in switchyards have underpinned the practicality of alternating current.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2022
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Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
According to earlier filings and reports, the JVR Energy Park’s active area would cover about 600 acres, which would include solar panels, battery storage modules, an on-site substation and a switchyard.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
There would be a total of 14 data center buildings, along with two electrical substations, a utility switchyard and stormwater detention basins, according to plans.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
And finally, the remainder could go to distributed energy generation, the protection of critical infrastructure such as switchyards and electrical substations, and humanitarian needs.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
The switchyard runs parallel to New Mexico’s primary east-west interstate, creating a half-mile-wide chasm for pedestrians between Gallup’s historic downtown and the newer stores and restaurants on the other side.
—USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024
The lines carry electricity from power plants to switchyards to substations and then to neighborhoods.
—The Arizona Republic, 23 Jan. 2024
Since the birth of modern power grids, millions of transformers on street poles and in switchyards have underpinned the practicality of alternating current.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Switchyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/switchyard. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
switchyard
noun
switch·yard
-ˌyärd
: a place where railroad cars are switched from one track to another and trains are made up
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