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cheminot

railway worker

noun shuh-mee-NOH Rare
People & Society Professions

Usage Note

Cheminot is the standard French term for a railway employee — particularly one working for the SNCF, France's national rail company. The word derives from chemin de fer (railway, literally 'iron road'). The feminine form cheminote exists but is less common. Cheminots are well known in France for their strong union tradition and frequent strike actions.

Examples

"Les cheminots ont voté pour une grève la semaine prochaine."

Natural Translation

The railway workers voted for a strike next week.

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