subway

noun

sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā 

: an underground way: such as

a

: a passage under a street (as for pedestrians, power cables, or water or gas mains)

b

: a usually electric underground railway

c

: underpass

subway intransitive verb

Examples of subway in a Sentence

I took the subway to midtown.

No one on the subway seemed to mind how crowded it was.

I've been on both the New York subway and the Underground in London.

Recent Examples on the Web

The real gem of Forth is Il Premio, a glam Italian steakhouse that would make any mob wife feel right at home with its moody lighting, mahogany tones, black subway tile, and a playful horse motif. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

In almost every neighborhood of the city, you’re bound to bump into vendors who have set up shop near parks, subway stations, and bars looking to meet the fervent demand for soccer kits, Styles swag and Knicks gear. — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

The mayor also touted August's crime statistics in the subway system. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

On Thursday and Friday, Kyiv’s Southern Bridge, which serves ground transportation and the city’s subway system, was hit five times in less than 24 hours. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing subway

• subway train

Rhymes for subway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

subway

noun

sub·​way ˈsəb-ˌwā 

1

: an underground passage

2

: a usually electric underground railway