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Glite Dictionary
flag stop

flag stop

8.1
A small train station where trains stop only if someone signals them
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : parada señalada
  • The train will only halt at the flag stop if someone signals the conductor.

Examples

  • We waited on the platform of the small flag stop for the afternoon train.

  • Some rural communities are served solely by a flag stop station.

  • The train will only stop at the flag stop if someone signals.

  • Did you know that this is a flag stop?

  • The train will only halt at the flag stop if someone signals the conductor.

  • We waited on the platform of the small flag stop for the afternoon train.

  • Some rural communities are served solely by a flag stop station.

Synonyms

way station
vsflag stop
4 3.9

A small stop on a route where people pause before continuing

is more often a place trains call at only when signaled
whistle stop
vsflag stop
1 7.4

A very small train station where trains pause only when someone signals

is a place trains call at only if signaled or lies between main stations

How Important

terminal
76 3.5
junction
61 3.0
station
∞ 2.0
flag stop
  • US
8.1

Surface Forms

flag stop singular
flag stops plural

Morphology

flag + stop

The meaning 'a stop that occurs only when someone signals' is directly and compositionally built from 'flag' (to signal by waving) + 'stop' (a place where a vehicle pauses). A B1 learner who knows both words can infer that a 'flag stop' is a stop that is used when signaled, so the construction is transparent.

Etymology

Flag stop comes from people waving a flag or their hand to tell a train to stop. That's why it means a small station where trains halt 'only if signaled'.