taxi rank

Meaning

A designated place where taxis line up to wait for passengers. It is primarily used in British, Australian, and South African English. In North America, the equivalent term is 'taxi stand' or 'cab stand'.

Examples

• Excuse me, could you tell me where the nearest taxi rank is?

  Excuse me, could you tell me where the nearest taxi rank is?

• There was a long queue at the taxi rank outside the train station.

  There was a long queue at the taxi rank outside the train station.

• You can't just wave at a cab here; you have to go to the taxi rank.

  You can't just wave at a cab here; you have to go to the taxi rank.

• The airport has a clearly signposted taxi rank just outside the arrivals terminal.

  The airport has a clearly signposted taxi rank just outside the arrivals terminal.

• Let's head to the taxi rank before the crowd from the concert gets there.

  Let's head to the taxi rank before the crowd from the concert gets there.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We waited at the taxi line for twenty minutes.

  ✓ We waited at the taxi rank for twenty minutes.

  While 'taxi line' is understandable, 'taxi rank' is the standard British English term for the physical place where taxis queue.

• ✗ Where is the taxi stop?

  ✓ Where is the taxi rank?

  Bus stops exist, but taxis park and wait at a 'taxi rank' (UK) or 'taxi stand' (US).

Related Expressions

Practice

• Follow the signs to the ___ if you need a ride to the hotel.

  💡 The British term for a designated taxi queue area.

  Show answer

  taxi rank

• There were no cars left at the ___ when our late train arrived.

  💡 The place where taxis wait for passengers.

  Show answer

  taxi rank