What does intercity mean?
Intercity describes transportation, routes, or journeys that connect different cities. It is commonly used with words such as “train,” “coach,” “service,” “travel,” and “route,” as in an intercity journey or an intercity train. In British English, the word can also function as a noun for a long-distance train or passenger service, although American usage tends to prefer “long-distance train” or “express train.” The term distinguishes travel between urban centres from local or suburban transport within one city. It can also describe telecommunications and other connections between cities, although such uses are less frequent. Intercity has a practical, modern connotation because it is associated with organised passenger transport, particularly rail services linking major towns and cities. Its vocabulary is straightforward but useful when distinguishing long-distance connections from local journeys, regional services, and travel between continents.
Relating to travel, transport, or communication between different cities.
"The company has introduced an intercity service linking the capital with five regional cities."
The adjective is used in both British and American English.
A train or passenger service that travels between major cities.
"They took the intercity from London to Manchester."
This noun use is especially common in British English; in American English, “long-distance train” or “express train” is often preferred.
The plural is used for the noun sense, especially for multiple long-distance passenger services.
"Several intercities serve the station throughout the day."
Intercity is all about the space between cities: its name literally announces a journey beyond the urban centre.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of intercity
Intercity was formed in English by combining the Latin-derived prefix inter-, meaning “between,” with city. The word city itself comes through Old French from Latin civitas, a community or group of citizens. The same Latin civic root also underlies words such as civil, civic, and civilian.
How intercity is actually used
The adjective is common in British and American English. The noun sense is especially established in British English, whereas American speakers more often use terms such as “long-distance train” or “express train.”
Easily confused with intercity
Intercity means travelling or connecting between cities, whereas intercontinental describes travel or connection between continents.
Intercity travel goes from one city to another, while intracity travel or transport takes place within a single city.