rail Definition
- 1a bar of metal or wood that is used to form part of a railway track
- 2a steel or aluminum structure that is used as a support for stairs, balconies, and decks
- 3a series of horizontal bars attached to vertical posts, used as a barrier or fence
Using rail: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "rail" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The train ran off the rails.
Example
The balcony is supported by metal rails.
Example
The garden is surrounded by a wooden rail fence.
rail Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with rail
Example
The project went off the rails when the team leader resigned.
Example
During the Great Depression, many people had to ride the rails in search of work.
Example
We hit the rails early in the morning to get to our destination on time.
Summary: rail in Brief
The term 'rail' [reɪl] refers to a metal or wooden bar used in railway tracks, a structure used as a support for stairs, balconies, and decks, and a series of horizontal bars used as a barrier or fence. It also has idiomatic uses like 'off the rails,' meaning out of control, and 'ride the rails,' meaning to travel by train illegally or as a homeless person.