A transverse connecting piece (of timber, etc.); spec. in U.S. = tie, n. 7b.

A piece of timber or other material used to form a support (usually transverse) for the rails of a tramway or railway.

A railway sleeper lying parallel with the rails it supports. Usually in plural. Now chiefly historical.

In technical applications. plural. On a railway: Cross-timbers laid between (or, formerly, beneath) longitudinal sleepers.

a sleeper laid transversely across a tramway or railway track as a support for the rails; also as adj.

a railway sleeper; = tie, n. 7b.

Building, etc. U.S. A longitudinal railway sleeper.

U.S. A (transverse) railway sleeper.

a circular metal support placed under a railway track (see quot. 1992).

a beam used in a longitudinal railway sleeper (see sleeper, n. 10b).