grade-crossing
Definition
Noun: - A point where a road and a railway cross at the same level: A "grade-crossing" is an intersection where a road or path crosses a railway line on the same ground level, typically without a bridge or tunnel. It is also known as a "level crossing" (especially in British English).
Usage Examples
- (The driver halted at the point where the road meets the railway tracks because the signals indicated a train was approaching.)
- (Older intersections of roads and railways at the same level have been upgraded with bridges to reduce accidents.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be at a grade-crossing": to be positioned at the specific intersection of a road and railway line.
- The car was stalled directly at the grade-crossing, posing a serious hazard. (The vehicle was stuck at the exact point where the road crosses the railway track, creating a dangerous situation.)
Variants and Related Words
- Level crossing (n): a synonym for grade-crossing, more common in British English.
- The level crossing gates were lowered as the train approached. (The barriers at the railway-road intersection were brought down.)
Synonyms
- Railroad crossing: a crossing of a road and a railway at the same level.
- Grade crossing: an alternative spelling (with a hyphen or without).
Related Idioms
- No common idioms directly involve "grade-crossing," but it is often associated with safety warnings like "stop, look, and listen" at such intersections.