trail
verb (used with object)
to drag or let drag along the ground or other surface; draw or drag along behind.
had been trailing
-
past perfect progressiveof trail.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Polls showed Orbán had been trailing for months behind Magyar, a former ally who turned against Fidesz in 2024 and built Tisza into a political force.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026
He had been trailing Lee for weeks in polls and in the early hours of Wednesday, he conceded defeat, congratulating Lee "on his victory".
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2025
Another candidate, Melitón Arrocha, who had been trailing in polls, announced he would end his campaign and throw his support to ex-President Martín Torrijos.
From Seattle Times ● May 3, 2024
Vance, the "Hillbilly Elegy" author and venture capitalist, a newcomer to politics who had been trailing other candidates.
From Reuters ● May 3, 2022
The dog had been trailing after us for a while.
From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm
