transportation
trans-paw-TAY-shuhn
Transportation (noun) means the act or system of moving people or goods; especially the common American term for this. Example: “The company arranged transportation for all conference attendees.”
noun
1
The act or system of moving people or goods; especially the common American term for this.
"The company arranged transportation for all conference attendees."
"Investment in public transportation has cut traffic in the city center."
"Most students rely on public transportation to get to the university."
2
Historical: the punishment of sending convicts to a distant penal colony.
"In the 18th century, transportation to Australia was a common sentence for minor crimes."
"Transportation was a harsh sentence that meant never seeing one's family again."
"Historians study the ships that carried prisoners during the era of transportation."
How to use transportation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe American English word for transport — the act or system of moving people and goods.
UK vs US
Americans say "transportation" where British speakers usually just say "transport."
Common pairings
public transportation
means of transportation
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Word forms
- Plural
- transportations
Fill the gap
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The company arranged _____ for all conference attendees.
Etymology
Formed from transport plus the noun ending -ation, tracing back through Old French to Latin trans- ("across") and portare ("to carry").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for transportation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for transportation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “transportation” mean?
The word “transportation” means the act or system of moving people or goods; especially the common American term for this. In plain terms, the American English word for transport — the act or system of moving people and goods.
How do you pronounce “transportation”?
“Transportation” is pronounced trans-paw-TAY-shuhn (/tɹænspɚˈteɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “transportation” in a sentence?
Here is “transportation” used in a sentence: “The company arranged transportation for all conference attendees.”
What part of speech is “transportation”?
“Transportation” is a noun.
Where does the word “transportation” come from?
The word “transportation” comes from Latin. Formed from transport plus the noun ending -ation, tracing back through Old French to Latin trans- ("across") and portare ("to carry").
Is “transportation” a common word?
“Transportation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “transportation” have?
“Transportation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or system of moving people or goods; especially the common American term for this.
What is the difference between transportation and transport?
They mean the same thing: moving people or goods. Transportation is the usual noun in American English, while transport is preferred in British English. Transport is also a verb ('to transport goods'), which transportation is not. Both refer to the act or system of getting things from place to place.
What are the types of transportation?
The main modes are road (cars, buses, lorries), rail (trains), air (planes), and water (ships and boats). It is also split into public transportation, such as buses and subways, and private transportation, such as personal cars. Each mode suits different distances, costs, and cargo.
What is an example of transportation?
A city bus carrying commuters, a freight train hauling coal, an aeroplane flying passengers overseas, and a cargo ship moving containers are all examples. Even walking or cycling counts as a form of transportation. The word covers both the vehicles and the wider systems that move people and goods.
Why is transportation important?
Transportation connects people to work, school, and services, and moves goods from producers to shops and homes. It underpins trade, economies, and daily life, letting distant places exchange products and ideas. Reliable transportation systems save time and cost, while poor ones limit growth and access.
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