noun

subway

An urban railway that runs mainly underground.

She takes the subway to work every weekday morning.

Etymology

The parts directly name an underground way. The word specialized to an urban railway whose route runs largely beneath the streets.

More examples

  • The subway runs all night on weekends.
  • We live two blocks from the nearest subway station.
  • Many large cities have extensive subways.

Forms

subway · subways

Similar words

metro
Names an urban railway that may also run aboveground.
railway
Covers rail systems generally, not just underground urban routes.