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

The kitchen is petite but modern and efficient, and the bathroom is perfectly fine — a basic penny- and subway-tile job. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 Aug. 2026

Could the summer swelter on New York City subway platforms be put to good use? — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

At the entrances to subway stops, volunteers with the New York Immigration Coalition distributed cards listing people’s rights if they’re stopped by ICE. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

But the Labor Day weekend crowds, soaring ticket prices, and long subway commutes can wear down even the most die-hard fans. — Hanlon Walsh, Midwest Living, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing subway

• subway train

Rhymes for subway

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

Kids Definition

subway

noun

sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā 

1

: an underground passage

2

: a usually electric underground railway