underground railway
The term "underground railway" can refer to both a modern urban transportation system and a historical network used to help enslaved people escape to freedom.
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Definition
B1Urban Transportation
(general)A network of trains operating below ground level, commonly found in cities for public transit.
Example
- The London Underground is one of the oldest and most extensive underground railways in the world.
B2History
(historical)A secret network of routes and safe houses used in the 19th century to help enslaved people escape to freedom in the United States and Canada.
Example
- Harriet Tubman was a famous conductor on the Underground Railway, leading many enslaved people to freedom.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "underground railway":