Railroad Meaning
/ˈɹeɪlɹoʊd/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA permanent track consisting of fixed metal rails to drive trains or similar motorized vehicles on.
nounThe transportation system comprising such tracks and vehicles fitted to travel on the rails, usually with several vehicles connected together in a train.
Sentence Examples
Where is the railroad station?
It's the fastest railroad in the world.
The railroad is now in the process of construction.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mining company built a new ____ across the wide valley to transport coal.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ company laid hundreds of miles of track across the continent during the nineteenth century.
Word Origin & History
From rail + road.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Gregory Scroggins, a PWA [person with AIDS] in Georgia who was found guilty of assault with intent to commit murder for biting a cop during arrest. It took only three days in October of 1989 to charge, try, convict and sentence Scroggins, who is now serving a 10-year sentence and has been denied bail (and medical treatment) pending appeal. […] Judy Siff of ACT/UP/Atlanta told GCN that Scroggins' case was a "railroad" of unbelievable proportions."
— 1990 April 28, Jennie McKnight, “Is Saliva A Murder Weapon?”, in Gay Community News, page 6:
"Sebastian Riedel lodged a complaint with TPF board, which he says was railroaded by a board member—therefore, Riedel quit."
— 2021 August 14, Jim Salter, quoting Sebastian Riedel, “The Perl Foundation is fragmenting over Code of Conduct enforcement”, in Ars Technica:
"What appears suspect about the Beeching Report is how quickly it was railroaded through, with the answers manufactured before the questions were asked."
— 2023 March 8, Howard Johnston, “Was Marples the real railway wrecker?”, in RAIL, number 978, page 52:
"My witnesses were not questioned to my advantage. Physical evidence in my attorney's possession was not presented to the jury. A promised expert witness was not called nor even sought. I knew that I was being railroaded but I was helpless."
— 1985 August 24, Robert Butler, “Sex More Punished Than Murder”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 7, page 5:
""I'm going to the^([sic]) Hague to see Mr Milosevic at his request," he told CBC radio before leaving Canada. "All of us feel he's being railroaded and used as a scapegoat for Nato's attack on Yugoslavia."
— 2001 July 7, Ian Black, quoting André Tremblay, “Defenders emerge for Milosevic”, in The Guardian:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mining company built a new ____ across the wide valley to transport coal.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ company laid hundreds of miles of track across the continent during the nineteenth century.