transportation

noun

trans·​por·​ta·​tion ˌtran(t)s-pər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce transportation (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of transporting or being transported
2
a
: means of conveyance or travel from one place to another
b
: public conveyance of passengers or goods especially as a commercial enterprise
3
: banishment to a penal colony
transportational adjective

Examples of transportation in a Sentence

the transportation of troops overseas She arranged for the transportation of her furniture to her new apartment. He was the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Reagan.
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.
In February, a group representing automakers and electric vehicle charging companies called on the transportation department to restore funding quickly. David Shepardson, USA Today, 9 May 2025 Meanwhile, Mittal expects a trade deal to benefit logistics companies — across port operators, railways and road transportation service providers — as there will be higher demand for their services. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 8 May 2025 In cities, traffic data can inform public transit planning while also empowering citizens to make smarter commuting choices and entrepreneurs to develop innovative transportation solutions. Don Murray, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 On a year-over-year basis, trucking transportation jobs have largely held up, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for transportation

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of transportation was in 1540

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Cite this Entry

“Transportation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transportation. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

transportation

noun
trans·​por·​ta·​tion ˌtran(t)s-pər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce transportation (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of transporting or being transported
2
: exile to a penal colony
3
a
: a means or method of transport
was left without transportation when the car died
b
: the public transporting of passengers or goods usually for a price

More from Merriam-Webster on transportation

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