Broad-gauge is a term that is often used in the transportation industry, specifically in reference to railways. It is a term that is used to describe the width of the tracks on a railway line. Broad-gauge tracks are wider than standard-gauge tracks, which are the most commonly used type of railway track.
Definitions
Broad-gauge is defined as a railway track that has a distance of more than 1.435 meters (4 feet 8.5 inches) between the rails. This is in contrast to standard-gauge tracks, which have a distance of exactly 1.435 meters between the rails.
Origin
The term broad-gauge originated in the 19th century when railways were first being developed. At that time, there was no standard width for railway tracks, and different companies used different widths. Broad-gauge tracks were wider than most other tracks, and they were used by a number of different railway companies.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of broad-gauge can vary slightly depending on the dictionary being used. In the Oxford English Dictionary, it is defined as “a railway track with a gauge greater than the standard gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches.” In Merriam-Webster, it is defined as “a railroad track with a gauge greater than the standard gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches.” In the Collins Dictionary, it is defined as “a railway track with a gauge greater than the standard gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches.”
Associations
Broad-gauge is often associated with older railway systems, particularly those that were developed in the 19th century. It is also associated with countries that have a history of using broad-gauge tracks, such as Russia and India.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for broad-gauge, including wide-gauge, broad-track, and broad-gauged.
Antonyms
The antonym of broad-gauge is standard-gauge, which refers to the most commonly used type of railway track.
The same root words
There are no other words that share the same root as broad-gauge.
Example Sentences
- The railway company decided to switch from broad-gauge tracks to standard-gauge tracks in order to improve efficiency.
- The museum has a collection of old locomotives that were used on broad-gauge tracks.
- The government is investing in the development of new railway lines with broad-gauge tracks to improve transportation in the region.