railway

noun

rail·​way ˈrāl-ˌwā How to pronounce railway (audio)
Synonyms of railwaynext
: railroad
especially : a railroad operating with light equipment or within a small area

Synonyms of railway

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Examples of railway in a Sentence

a system of railways that crisscrosses the whole nation
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.
Finch argues that because kudzu is most aggressive along roads, railways, and forest edges, the vine has become hyper-visible in the age of the automobile. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026 Those facilities provide drydocks, shiplifts, railways and pier-side support for Navy and government vessels. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 At Hull’s railway station an hour or so later, a few Manchester United fans are scanning the departures board near Philip Larkin’s statue, which captures the late poet mid-stride. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The cache, discovered near Kojetín in central Moravia during archaeological work connected to a railway project, contained an assortment of worn and broken bronze objects. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for railway

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of railway was in 1681

Phrases Containing railway

Rhymes for railway

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Browse Nearby Words

rail-water
railway
railwayac
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Cite this Entry

“Railway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/railway. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on railway

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about railway

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