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
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 adjective

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.
Centuries ago, the Maya cut a slender channel through dense mangrove forests to facilitate transportation between two technicolor lagoons. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025 Seamless Travel Logistics: Assistance with or inclusion of airport pickups, comfortable hotel accommodations often near the clinic and city attractions, and local transportation. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 July 2025 Other industries have modernized their supply chain practices and B2B integration strategies in the last few years, especially in the manufacturing, logistics, transportation and retail spaces. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 18 July 2025 Through these innovations, the Sierra Railroad Company has demonstrated a comprehensive, closed-loop solution for converting waste into clean energy —paving the way for a more sustainable future in both railroad transportation and energy production. David Blekhman, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Transportation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transportation. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!