altar rail

American  

noun

1. the rail in front of an altar, separating the sanctuary from those parts of the church that are in front of it.

---

Etymology

Origin of altar rail

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Restoration experts are also still repairing the altar rail and pulpit.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2022

Here and there people rise from the pews to sit at the altar rail and remove their shoes and socks, to let a robed near-stranger pour water and rub their calluses.

From New York Times • Mar. 12, 2019

Kneeling upright at the altar rail before the statue of the Virgin Mary, Annie sleeps a good, unfeeling sleep.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 1, 2018

Last week Mr. Kelso, the chief archaeologist at the site, hopped into the excavated pit topped with sandbags and pointed to where Pocahontas would have stood at the altar rail.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2011

His footsteps rang on the stone, and then were muffled as he came on to the red carpet by the altar rail.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill