How to pronounce railroad
Say it like RAYL-rohd. Railroad has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAYL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce railroad. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAYL
- rohd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Railroad pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RAYLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- rohdGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of railroad
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: RAYL-rohd.
What does railroad mean?
- line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
- a line of track providing a runway for wheels“he walked along the railroad track”
- compel by coercion, threats, or crude means“They sandbagged him to make dinner for everyone”
- supply with railroad lines“railroad the West”
- transport by railroad
Where does railroad come from?
From rail + road.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying railroad
How do you pronounce railroad?
Say RAYL-rohd. The American pronunciation is /ˈreɪlˌroʊd/. In British English it is /ˈreɪlˌrəʊd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in railroad?
Railroad has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAYL). Broken into parts: RAYL · rohd.
Is railroad pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈreɪlˌrəʊd/ (RAYL-rohd).