BusinessAugust 7, 2026

transcontinental

tranz-kon-ti-NEN-tuhl

Definition

Spanning or crossing an entire continent, typically referring to railroads or transportation networks that link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'trans-' (across) and 'continens' (holding together or continent), the term emerged in the mid-19th century to describe the ambitious rail projects connecting the opposite coasts of North America.

In the news

The term describes the scale of railroad networks like Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, highlighting the massive logistical implications of a potential merger between such transcontinental entities.

CSX, BNSF urge STB to deny UP-NS merger

Read the full article ↗

herald-dispatch.com

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