roadbed

noun

road·​bed ˈrōd-ˌbed 

1

a

: the bed on which the ties, rails, and ballast of a railroad rest

b

: the ballast or the upper surface of the ballast on which the ties rest

2

a

: the earth foundation of a road prepared for surfacing

b

: the part of the surface of a road traveled by vehicles

Examples of roadbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police said the man had been walking on the roadbed of the tracks as a northbound D train was entering the station, but the train operator was unable to stop the train in time to avoid him. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 11 Dec. 2024

When the stone near the surface can no longer support the weight of overlying soil or a roadbed, the ground collapses and a sinkhole appears. —Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024

May 15, 2024 The officers hopped down onto the roadbed, grabbed the victim by each arm and hoisted him back onto the platform, the video shows. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 16 May 2024

The roadbed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

roadbed

noun

road·​bed -ˌbed 

1

: the foundation of a road or railroad

2

: the part of the surface of a road that vehicles travel on