A2noun2K

Subway

UK /["/ˈsʌbweɪ/"]/US /["/ˈsʌbweɪ/"]/

Definition

an underground railway system in a city

In simple words: An underground train that carries people in a city.

Examples

  • the New York subway
  • a **subway station/train**
  • a downtown subway stop
  • to **ride/take the subway**
  • In Boston the subway is known as the ‘T’; in Washington DC it’s the‘Metro’.
  • I've never been on the subway.
  • Yankee Stadium is a 40-minute subway ride from our house.
  • rush hour in the subway
  • He ran through the pedestrian subway.

Usage notes

Used in urban contexts to refer to electric trains running below ground. Not commonly used in rural areas. In some regions, it's also called 'metro' or 'tube'.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think 'sub' like 'below' and 'way' as a path under the city.

Collocations

  • crowded
  • ride
  • take
  • use
  • car
  • train
  • platform
  • in the subway
  • on the subway
  • pedestrian
  • along a/​the subway
  • in a/​the subway
  • through a/​the subway

Synonyms

  • metro
  • underground
  • tube
  • light rail
  • subterranean train

Antonyms

  • aboveground
  • surface

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'sub', which refers to a sandwich.
  • Used interchangeably with 'train', ignoring that subway specifically means underground.