English · Word Candidate

subway

/ˈsʌbˌweɪ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: subways · subwaying · subwayed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An underground railway, especially for mass transit of people in urban areas.

NounRegister: US

He is going to Westminster by subway.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A train that runs on such an underground railway.

NounRegister: US

Just before you leave, the subway comes. You get on. It stops at the next station.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To travel by underground railway.

VerbRegister: US, informal

I suppose I could have subwayed around town in search of froufrou French pastry shops.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “subway” mean?

An underground railway, especially for mass transit of people in urban areas.

Is “subway” formal or informal?

subway is generally US.