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?

Principe-Granarolo Funicular Railway - Atlas Obscura

Cliff Railways - West Hill - Visit 1066 Country

Water Powered Funiculars

Funicular railway at Muottas Muragl - a Royalty Free Stock Photo

Funicular Railways - Doppelmayr Group

Treetop Walk Black Forest - The Sommerbergbahn Funicular Railway

Funicular: Most Up-to-Date Encyclopedia, News & Reviews

Fløibanen funicular - visitBergen.com

Incline Railways in the Vernacular of One Particular Spectacular

Incline Railroad or Funicular Railroad

Funicular : Mobility

Incline Railroad or Funicular Railroad