railway
UK: ˈreɪlweɪ | US: ˈreɪlweɪ
n. a track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which trains run
n. a system of transportation using such tracks
The word "railway" combines "rail" (from Old French reille, meaning "bar" or "rod," originally from Latin regula, "straight stick") and "way" (from Old English weg, meaning "path" or "road"). The term emerged in the early 19th century as steam-powered trains required dedicated tracks with parallel steel rails. The logic is straightforward: a "rail-way" is literally a path defined by rails, evolving into the modern system of train transportation.
The new high-speed railway connects the two cities in under an hour.
The railway station was bustling with commuters during rush hour.
The government invested heavily in expanding the national railway network.
The old railway tracks were repurposed into a scenic walking trail.
The invention of the railway revolutionized travel in the 19th century.