Definition

1. Noun:
   • A direct telephone line connecting two exchanges: A dedicated communication circuit that directly links two telephone switching centers without intermediate connections.
   • The main route on a railway system: The primary, most important line in a railway network from which branch lines diverge.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The new trunk line between the cities significantly improved call quality.
  • Freight trains primarily use the trunk line, while local passenger services use the branch lines.

Advanced Usage

• "to lay a trunk line": To install or construct a primary railway route or a major telephone cable.
  • The company invested heavily to lay a new fiber-optic trunk line across the country.

Variants and Related Words

• Trunk (n): In telecommunications, a single transmission channel between two points. In transport, the main stem of a tree, road, or railway system.
  • The data was routed through the main network trunk.
• Trunk route (n): Synonymous with the railway meaning of trunk line; a major transportation artery.
  • The highway serves as a vital trunk route for commercial traffic.

Synonyms

• Main line: The principal railway line.
• Backbone: A central or main route, often used in the context of networks (e.g., ).
• Arterial line: A primary route in a transportation or utility network.

Related Phrases

• Trunk call (n, historical): A long-distance telephone call routed via trunk lines.
  • In the past, making a trunk call was more expensive than a local call.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. a telephone line connecting two exchanges directly
2. line that is the main route on a railway