trail
verb (used with object)
to drag or let drag along the ground or other surface; draw or drag along behind.
were trailing
-
past progressiveof trail.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In October 2023, United were trailing 1-0 at home to Brentford when McTominay came off the bench with 10 minutes to go.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
So far, there have been three games won by teams that were trailing with two minutes left and four decided by four points or fewer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
The assists came after Garnacho spared Chelsea's blushes with an equaliser against Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday, after he came on as a half-time substitute when his team were trailing.
From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2025
The man just had his immigration case dismissed and his wife and 8-year-old son were trailing behind him when agents surrounded, then handcuffed him outside the downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2025
The light was thinning and people were trailing up the trampled hillside towards home.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
