Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

railing

American  
[rey-ling] / ˈreɪ lɪŋ /

noun

  1. a fencelike barrier composed of one or more horizontal rails supported by widely spaced uprights; balustrade.

  2. banister.

  3. rails collectively.


railing British  
/ ˈreɪlɪŋ /

noun

  1. (often plural) a fence, balustrade, or barrier that consists of rails supported by posts

  2. rails collectively or material for making rails

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of railing

First recorded in 1350–1400; rail 1 + -ing 1

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.

Railing about powerlessness is a luxury we might want to save for the moment—should it ever fearfully arrive—in which we have truly got no power left to assert.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

Railing about the influence of the police union in Suffolk County is like railing against the moon in the sky.

From New York Times • Mar. 26, 2021

Railing against something or someone consumes much of the community’s energy.

From Washington Times • Jan. 28, 2020

Railing against City Hall is a balancing act for Lee.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2019

"I am sorry for you, Mrs. Bordine," said Sergeant Railing.

From Five Thousand Dollars Reward by Pinkerton, A. Frank [pseud.]

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "railing" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com