underpass

noun

un·​der·​pass ˈən-dər-ˌpas How to pronounce underpass (audio)
: a crossing of a highway and another way (such as a road or railroad) at different levels
also : the lower level of such a crossing

Examples of underpass in a Sentence

We stood on the bridge and looked down at the underpass.
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.
The Hubbard’s Cave street underpass under I-90 and I-94 in West Town was also painted and new LED lights were installed. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025 As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 2 inches of rain had already fallen on the area, causing small creeks, low-lying areas and some underpasses in the Dallas area to flood. Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024 Anti-Black slogans and swastikas defaced a Jewish center, a church, a school and a freeway underpass in 1961. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025 The funding is part of a broader $105.8 million allocation from the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program, which supports projects such as overpasses, underpasses, closures and track relocations, according the Federal Railroad Administration. Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for underpass

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underpass was in 1903

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underpass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underpass. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

underpass

noun
un·​der·​pass -ˌpas How to pronounce underpass (audio)
: a passage underneath something (as for a road passing under another road)

More from Merriam-Webster on underpass

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