line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
"The railroad announced a new schedule to accommodate the increased volume of freight shipments during the holiday season."
a line of track providing a runway for wheels
"he walked along the railroad track"
A permanent road consisting of fixed metal rails to drive trains or similar motorized vehicles on.
"The old railroad still cuts through the valley, its rusted tracks now overgrown with weeds."
In plain English: A railroad is a system of tracks used to move trains and their cargo from place to place.
"The old railroad tracks cut through the middle of our town."
Usage: Use the noun form when referring specifically to the physical track system, while reserving the verb for actions involving transporting goods or people by train. Avoid confusing this with "railway," which is often used interchangeably but may carry different regional preferences in British English.
transport by railroad
"We decided to take the train instead of driving because we wanted to enjoy the scenic views along the way."
To transport via railroad.
"The company promised to railroad all the coal from the mine to the port before winter."
In plain English: To railroad someone means to force them into doing something unfair without giving them a fair chance to defend themselves.
"The construction company will railroad this new housing development to get it built before winter starts."
The word railroad is a straightforward combination of the words rail and road. It was first used to describe tracks made of iron rails that allowed trains to travel along them efficiently.