railroad tie
Known as 'crosstie' in American English and 'railway sleeper' in British English, 'railroad ties' are essential components in railway track systems.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Railway Engineering
(technical)A rectangular support, usually made of wood, concrete, or steel, placed beneath and perpendicular to the rails to maintain track alignment and spacing.
Example
- The maintenance team replaced the old wooden railroad ties with new concrete ones.
- Properly installed railroad ties are crucial for the stability of the railway track.
B1Gardening and Landscaping
(informal)A long, thin beam used to create borders, retain soil, or outline pathways.
Example
- We used old railroad ties to create a raised garden bed.
- The driveway is lined with railroad ties to prevent soil erosion.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "railroad tie":