railway crossing; railroad crossing; level crossing
The common everyday meaning: a place where a road crosses railway tracks at the same level, often with gates and warning bells.
踏切で電車の通過を待った。
I waited at the railway crossing for the train to pass.
この踏切は朝になるとよく渋滞する。
This railroad crossing often gets congested in the morning.
starting line; scratch line
A limited sports or competition use for a line or mark from which one starts or takes off; much less common for learners than the railway-crossing meaning.
競技規則では、スタートの線を「踏切」と呼ぶことがある。
In competition rules, the starting line is sometimes called 踏切.
Rare as modern standalone usage; in ordinary Japanese, 踏ん切り is much more familiar for the idea of making up one's mind.
「踏切」という名詞には、まれに「決心」の意味がある。
The noun 踏切 rarely has the meaning of "determination."
stepping over the edge of the sumo ring
Sumo term for a wrestler's foot stepping beyond the ring boundary, which can decide the bout.
物言いの結果、足の踏切が確認された。
After the judges' conference, it was confirmed that the foot had stepped over the edge of the ring.
I crossed the railway crossing before the train came.
The crossing gates closed, and the cars stopped.
The crossing's warning bell started ringing.
踏切 is a railway crossing where a train track crosses a road, whereas 交差点 refers to where roads or streets cross each other.
unstaffed railway crossing; unmanned level crossing
railway crossing gate; railroad crossing gate; level crossing gate
railway crossing emergency button