railroad Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
    railway line; railway; railroad line; railway system.
  2. noun a line of track providing a runway for wheels
    railroad track; railway.
    • he walked along the railroad track
  3. verb compel by coercion, threats, or crude means
    dragoon; sandbag.
    • They sandbagged him to make dinner for everyone
  4. verb supply with railroad lines
    • railroad the West
  5. verb transport by railroad

WordNet


Rail"road`, Rail"way` noun (Also<
  • Railroad
  • Railway
)
Definitions
  1. A road or way consisting of one or more parallel series of iron or steel rails, patterned and adjusted to be tracks for the wheels of vehicles, and suitably supported on a bed or substructure. ✍ The modern railroad is a development and adaptation of the older tramway.
  2. The road, track, etc., with al the lands, buildings, rolling stock, franchises, etc., pertaining to them and constituting one property; as, certain railroad has been put into the hands of a receiver. Railway is the commoner word in England; railroad the commoner word in the United States. ✍ In the following and similar phrases railroad and railway are used interchangeably: --

Webster 1913