el

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈel

Synonyms of el next

: the letter l

el

2 of 3

noun (2)

often capitalized

: an urban railway that operates chiefly on an elevated structure

also : a train belonging to such a railway

The big stores. State Street. The el took you downtown in no time. —

Edna Ferber

el

3 of 3

abbreviation

elevation

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of el was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“El.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/el. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

el

noun

ˈel

often capitalized

: a railroad operating chiefly on elevated tracks

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

hobgoblin

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay