railroad
RAYL-rohd
Railroad (noun) means a track and system of transport using trains (American English). Example: “My grandfather worked on the railroad for most of his life.”
noun
1
A track and system of transport using trains (American English).
"My grandfather worked on the railroad for most of his life."
"The old railroad runs right through the middle of the town."
"The railroad connected the two coasts for the first time in 1869."
verb
1
To force something through, or force someone into a decision, without proper process or consent.
"Don't let them railroad you into signing before you have read it."
"The manager railroaded the new schedule through without asking any of the staff."
"They accused the committee of railroading the vote through without debate."
How to use railroad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe American word for a railway — or, informally, to push a decision or process through unfairly and without giving people a real say.
UK vs US
"Railroad" is the standard American English term; British English uses "railway" for the noun sense.
Common pairings
railroad tracks
railroad someone into something
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Word forms
- Plural
- railroads
- Third person singular
- railroads
- Past tense
- railroaded
Fill the gap
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My grandfather worked on the _____ for most of his life.
Etymology
A compound of "rail" and "road."
Related words
Rhymes for railroad
See all rhymes for railroad →Frequently asked questions
What does “railroad” mean?
The word “railroad” means a track and system of transport using trains (American English). In plain terms, the American word for a railway — or, informally, to push a decision or process through unfairly and without giving people a real say.
How do you pronounce “railroad”?
“Railroad” is pronounced RAYL-rohd (/ˈɹeɪlɹoʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “railroad” in a sentence?
Here is “railroad” used in a sentence: “The railroad connected the two coasts for the first time in 1869.”
What is another word for “railroad”?
Words with a similar meaning to “railroad” include railway.
What part of speech is “railroad”?
Depending on how it is used, “railroad” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “railroad” a common word?
“Railroad” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “railroad” have?
“Railroad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a track and system of transport using trains (American English).
What is the difference between 'railroad' and 'railway'?
They mean the same track and system of transport using trains, but 'railroad' is standard in American English while 'railway' is preferred in British English. A British traveller takes the railway, and an American takes the railroad.
What is the difference between 'railroad' and 'coerce'?
Both involve forcing someone, but 'railroad' specifically means pushing a decision or process through quickly and unfairly, often by rushing it. 'Coerce' is broader and means to force by pressure or threat, whether the process is rushed or not.
Is 'railroad' one word or two?
'Railroad' is written as a single word, whether it means the train system or the act of forcing something through. The two-word form 'rail road' is not standard.
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