English Expression · Intermediate
railroad tie
A long, thin wooden beam used as a border in driveways, to hold in soil in gardens, etc
Pronunciation: say railroad tie
Meaning
A rectangular piece of wood, concrete, or steel laid transversely under railway tracks to support them.
Example
The old railroad tie was replaced to ensure the stability of the track.
The old railroad tie was replaced to ensure the stability of the track.
Practice tips
- Practice railroad tie out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.