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Glite Dictionary
trunk route

trunk route

5.7
Main railway line that carries most trains between big cities
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : ruta troncal
  • During peak hours, commuters rely heavily on the trunk route to get to their destinations efficiently.

Examples

  • The trunk route connects the capital with the surrounding regions, making it essential for daily travelers.

  • A lot of the bars network today we need to readjust the long trunk routes that duplicate the MRT lines.

  • Police are urging motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary and, if it is essential, to use only minor roads and leave motorways and intercity trunk routes clear for official traffic.

    Threads (1984)

  • The railway company upgraded its trunk route to ensure faster travel between major cities.

Synonyms

route
vstrunk route
∞ 1.0

A road or path people use to travel between places

is specifically the primary corridor used by most train traffic rather than any path
mainline
vstrunk route
16 4.2

A main route like a train line or a large water pipe

is specific to train networks and heavy intercity connections
rail line
vstrunk route
16 2.8

Tracks and the ground they sit on that form a route for trains

means the primary corridor that carries most train services rather than any track set
main line
vstrunk route
7 3.2

The most important railway route used by trains

stresses connecting major destinations rather than only heavy usage
railway line
vstrunk route
  • UK
3 2.1

A set of tracks that trains use to travel between places

focuses on being the main traffic corridor carrying most services rather than structure
trunk line
vstrunk route
5.1

A main train route that connects important towns and cities

is the same concept but uses a different term emphasising the path

How Important

trunk route
  • UK
5.7
route
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

trunk route singular
trunk routes plural

Morphology

trunk + route

The meaning 'main route' is directly compositional from 'trunk' (denoting the main or central part/line) plus 'route' (a path or road). This follows a common English pattern (e.g., 'trunk line', 'trunk road') so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Trunk route comes from the idea of a tree: the trunk is the thick main part and the smaller lines are like branches. So a trunk route is the 'main' railway line that carries most traffic and connects big places.