a bar of metal or wood that is used to form part of a railway track, a steel or aluminum structure that is used as a support for stairs, balconies, and decks, a series of horizontal bars attached to vertical posts, used as a barrier or fence

off the rails, ride the rails, hit the rails

Formal and Informal Expressions of rail

In different contexts, you can replace 'rail' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'track, bar' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'beam, pole' is a commonplace synonym.

rail: Explore its Definition & Usage

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

Synonyms for rail

Phrases with rail

off the rails
out of control or not going as planned
Example
The project went off the rails when the team leader resigned.
ride the rails
to travel by train illegally or as a homeless person
Example
During the Great Depression, many people had to ride the rails in search of work.
hit the rails
to begin a journey by train
Example
We hit the rails early in the morning to get to our destination on time.

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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.