English · Daily Life

subway

/ˈsʌb.weɪ/

[/ˈsʌb.weɪ/]

underground railway

Intermediatenoun

Definition

An underground railway system in a city, used by many passengers.

Example

The subway was packed during rush hour, so he had to stand the whole crowded journey.

The subway was packed during rush hour, so he had to stand the whole crowded journey.

Etymology

Compound of 'sub' (under) and 'way'; the American sense dates to the 1890s.

How & Where It’s Used

American term for an underground railway; Britons say 'underground' or 'tube'.

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