a bar of wood or metal fixed horizontally for any of various purposes, as for a support, barrier, fence, or railing, one of a pair of steel bars that provide the running surfaces for the wheels of locomotives and railroad cars

off the rails, hit the rails, ride the rails

Formal and Informal Expressions of rails

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

rails: Explore its Definition & Usage

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

Synonyms for rails

Phrases with rails

off the rails
out of control or on a path to disaster
Example
After his wife left him, he went off the rails and started drinking heavily.
hit the rails
to leave or depart quickly
Example
I have to hit the rails early tomorrow morning to catch my flight.
ride the rails
to travel illegally by train, especially by riding on top of or between cars
Example
During the Great Depression, many people rode the rails in search of work.

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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.