1
: a railroad car
2
: a self-propelled railroad car

Examples of railcar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Images of the scene showed a massive heap of railcars with billowing smoke. ABC News, 3 June 2026 Freight cars moved 9% faster, terminal dwell time (the time railcars were sitting and not hauling) improved 11% and fuel efficiency hit a new record. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 26 May 2026 An exhibit celebrating the Metro’s rail system turns back time with its vintage 1970s railcar. Liam Scott, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 Workers were apparently unloading sulfuric acid from a railcar at the site using compressed air, which firefighters described as a standard procedure. Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for railcar

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of railcar was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Railcar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/railcar. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a railroad car
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster