Phrase guide

train spotting

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The hobby of collecting the numbers and names of locomotives seen at railway stations and other vantage points.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The obsessive following of any minority interest or hobby.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 觀察火車 /观察火车 (guānchá huǒchē) — hobby of collecting locomotive numbers and names
  • Chinese Mandarin: 蹲火車 /蹲火车 (dūnhuǒchē) — hobby of collecting locomotive numbers and names
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拍火車 /拍火车 (pāihuǒchē) — hobby of collecting locomotive numbers and names
  • Finnish: junabongaus — hobby of collecting locomotive numbers and names