rail
1a bar of wood or metal fixed horizontally for any of various purposes, as for a support, barrier, fence, or railing.
a fence; railing.
one of two fences marking the inside and outside boundaries of a racetrack.
one of a pair of steel bars that provide the running surfaces for the wheels of locomotives and railroad cars.
the railroad as a means of transportation: to travel by rail.
rails, stocks or bonds of railroad companies.
Nautical. a horizontal member capping a bulwark.
Carpentry, Furniture. any of various horizontal members framing panels or the like, as in a system of paneling, paneled door, window sash, or chest of drawers.: Compare stile2.
Slang. a line of cocaine crystals or powder for inhaling through the nose.
to furnish or enclose with a rail or rails.
Origin of rail
1Other words from rail
- railless, adjective
- raillike, adjective
Words Nearby rail
Other definitions for rail (2 of 3)
to utter bitter complaint or vehement denunciation (often followed by at or against): to rail at fate.
to bring, force, etc., by railing.
Origin of rail
2Other words for rail
Other words from rail
- railer, noun
- rail·ing·ly, adverb
Other definitions for rail (3 of 3)
any of numerous birds of the family Rallidae, that have short wings, a narrow body, long toes, and a harsh cry and inhabit grasslands, forests, and marshes in most parts of the world.
Origin of rail
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rail in a sentence
Bring your bike helmet and ride the Monon Trail, a 30-mile or so rail trail that runs from downtown to points north including Broad Ripple Village.
Foye said they would include a reduction of as much as 40% in passenger service within the city, and a 50% decrease in service on commuter rail lines, which connect the city to outlying areas where many city workers live.
New York City transit needs a $12 billion bailout—or the entire U.S. economic recovery may suffer | dzanemorris | September 3, 2020 | FortuneThe Metropolitan Transit Authority, which runs New York City’s subways, buses, and commuter rail lines, needs a $12 billion cash infusion to offset losses due to the coronavirus.
New York City transit needs a $12 billion bailout—or the entire U.S. economic recovery may suffer | dzanemorris | September 3, 2020 | FortuneI’ve pulled the seatpost out of the frame, inserted it through the rear triangle so that the rear wheel couldn’t roll, and locked one seat rail to the seat stay.
The most secure ways to lock up your bike | By Michael Frank/Cycle Volta | August 26, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThey’d then have to go at that padlock or the seat rail and be very careful not to slip and cut the frame in the process.
The most secure ways to lock up your bike | By Michael Frank/Cycle Volta | August 26, 2020 | Popular-Science
Authorities blame anarchists protesting a proposed high-speed rail line called TAV that will link Turin and Lyon, France.
Workers built a temporary rail track through the city to move the statue in a process that took three days.
After the tunnel was complete, Schmidt went about building a rail line through it.
Tougher regulations on tank cars and oil-by-rail make sense.
Yes, it costs more to move oil by rail than it does by pipeline.
A gentleman got out of a carriage before it stopped, and fell between the rail and the platform.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodThe first rail road opened in Brazil, the emperor and empress being present at the inauguration.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellAn accident occurred on the Panama rail road, recently put in operation, by which 43 persons were killed, and 60 wounded.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellHe drew up the rocker, hoisted his slippered feet on the rail, and proceeded to smoke a cigar.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinSince then the whole of the trade of transit by rail has been conducted by the companies owning the lines.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
British Dictionary definitions for rail (1 of 3)
/ (reɪl) /
a horizontal bar of wood, metal, etc, supported by vertical posts, functioning as a fence, barrier, handrail, etc
a horizontal bar fixed to a wall on which to hang things: a picture rail
a horizontal framing member in a door or piece of panelling: Compare stile 2
short for railing
one of a pair of parallel bars laid on a prepared track, roadway, etc, that serve as a guide and running surface for the wheels of a railway train, tramcar, etc
short for railway
(as modifier): rail transport
nautical a trim for finishing the top of a bulwark
off the rails
into or in a state of dysfunction or disorder
eccentric or mad
to provide with a rail or railings
(usually foll by in or off) to fence (an area) with rails
Origin of rail
1Derived forms of rail
- railless, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for rail (2 of 3)
/ (reɪl) /
(intr ; foll by at or against) to complain bitterly or vehemently: to rail against fate
Origin of rail
2Derived forms of rail
- railer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for rail (3 of 3)
/ (reɪl) /
any of various small wading birds of the genus Rallus and related genera: family Rallidae, order Gruiformes (cranes, etc). They have short wings, long legs, and dark plumage
Origin of rail
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with rail
see off the rails; thin as a rail; third rail.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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