monorail

/'mɔnoureil/

Thân thiện

The monorail glides smoothly above the city park.

Definition

Noun: A railway system that uses a single rail as its track. Unlike traditional trains that run on two parallel rails, a monorail's vehicles are either suspended from or straddle this single guide rail.

Usage

The word "monorail" is used to describe the entire transportation system, including its track, vehicles, and stations. It is a countable noun.

Examples

• The city built a monorail to connect the airport to the downtown convention center.
• Many theme parks use a monorail for internal transportation.
• The new monorail line has significantly reduced traffic congestion in the city center.
• Proponents argue that a monorail is more cost-effective than a subway for certain routes.

Advanced Usage

• As a Modifier: The word "monorail" is often used attributively (like an adjective) to describe related components.
  • The monorail system is fully automated.
  • We waited at the monorail station.

Variants and Related Words

• Monorail is a compound word formed from the prefix "mono-" (meaning "single" or "one") and "rail". There are no direct verb or adjective forms. Related systems include railway, train, maglev (magnetic levitation train), and people mover.

Synonyms

• Single-rail railway
• Elevated railway (when the monorail is built above ground, which is common)

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning is specifically a railway with a single track. While most monorails are elevated, the definition is based on the track structure, not its elevation. It is distinct from light rail or trams, which use two rails.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a railway having a single track