What is a funicular railway?

In the news about the recent accident at a ski resort in Austria, the reporters called the cable car that carried the skiers up the mountain a "funicular railway." What is that and how does it work?

Funicular for urban, touristic and industrial application - POMA

The Southend Cliff Lift, a funicular railway built in 1912 in the

Leas Lift, a water and gravity powered funicular railway in

14 Amazing, Gravity-Defying Funiculars - Atlas Obscura

Funicular - Wikipedia

15 of Europe's Most Fantastic Funicular Railways

Harder funicular railway – ride with majestic views

The World's Most Recognized Funiculars Including Two In Niagara Falls

Funicular railway at Muottas Muragl - a Royalty Free Stock Photo

14 Fabulous Funiculars From Around the Globe

Funicular (Cable) Railway

14 Fabulous Funiculars From Around the Globe

Character Gallery - Episode 26: Sprite and Stone: The Funicular

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway – Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

Fløibanen funicular - visitBergen.com