noun
sleeper
A crosspiece that supports railway rails.
The British railway manual calls the crosspiece a sleeper.
Etymology
Sleeper was applied to a timber lying horizontally rather than standing upright. Railway use retains that recumbent support laid beneath the rails.
More examples
- Several sleepers needed replacement.
- The diagram labeled each sleeper.
- The crew inspected the sleeper beneath the rail.
Forms
sleeper · sleepers
Similar words
- tie
- The usual US railway term.
- crosspiece
- A general transverse structural member.