rails Definition
- 1a bar of wood or metal fixed horizontally for any of various purposes, as for a support, barrier, fence, or railing
- 2one of a pair of steel bars that provide the running surfaces for the wheels of locomotives and railroad cars
Using rails: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "rails" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The balcony was surrounded by iron rails.
Example
The train clattered over the rails.
Example
The rails were slippery from the rain.
Example
The horse jumped over the fence rails.
Example
The carpenter used wooden rails to build the frame.
rails Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with rails
Example
After his wife left him, he went off the rails and started drinking heavily.
Example
I have to hit the rails early tomorrow morning to catch my flight.
Example
During the Great Depression, many people rode the rails in search of work.
Summary: rails in Brief
The term 'rails' [reɪlz] refers to horizontal bars made of wood or metal that serve as supports, barriers, fences, or railings. It also refers to the steel bars that provide the running surfaces for the wheels of locomotives and railroad cars. The phrase 'off the rails' means out of control, 'hit the rails' means to leave quickly, and 'ride the rails' means to travel illegally by train.