transportation

noun

trans·​por·​ta·​tion ˌtran(t)s-pər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce transportation (audio)
Synonyms of transportationnext
1
: an act, process, or instance of transporting or being transported
2
a
: means of conveyance or travel from one place to another
b
: public conveyance of passengers or goods especially as a commercial enterprise
3
: banishment to a penal colony
transportational
ˌtran(t)s-pər-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce transportation (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of transportation

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Examples of transportation in a Sentence

the transportation of troops overseas She arranged for the transportation of her furniture to her new apartment. He was the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Reagan.
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.
Japan's famed kei cars were born out of the country's post-war need for affordable, practical transportation. — New Atlas, 4 July 2026 That cross-sea bridge and tunnel project is one of the Pearl River Delta's biggest transportation projects. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Boise and Ada County have created infractions for speeding on the Greenbelt, and the city worked with Lime, a popular electric transportation company, to limit scooter speeds in parts of the city. — Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 Communication, transportation, technology, learning and daily logistics are all likely to change suddenly. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for transportation

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of transportation was in 1540

Phrases Containing transportation

Rhymes for transportation

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Browse Nearby Words

transportal
transportation
transportational
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Cite this Entry

“Transportation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transportation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

transportation

noun
trans·​por·​ta·​tion ˌtran(t)s-pər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce transportation (audio)
1
: an act, process, or instance of transporting or being transported
2
: exile to a penal colony
3
a
: a means or method of transport
was left without transportation when the car died
b
: the public transporting of passengers or goods usually for a price

More from Merriam-Webster on transportation

Nglish: Translation of transportation for Spanish Speakers

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