Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

transcontinental-railroad

noun

/trænskənˈtɪnəntəl ˈreɪlˌrɔrd/

Definition

A railway system that crosses a continent, connecting the eastern and western parts of a country.

Examples

The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 was a significant achievement in American history.
Traveling across the country became much faster after the establishment of the transcontinental railroad.
Many goods were transported more efficiently due to the transcontinental railroad.

Meaning

The transcontinental railroad refers specifically to a network of railroads that spans across an entire continent. In the United States, it refers to the railway that linked the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, facilitating travel and trade.