Definition of rail - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
constructionhorizontal bar used as a support or barrier
- The old staircase had a wooden rail on one side..
2.
train trackssystem of tracks for trains
- The train sped along the rail toward the city center..
3.
transportationmeans of transportation by train
- We decided to travel by rail.
4.
technologyTECH. conductor in electronics circuitsTECH.
- The circuit was connected to the rail.
5.
surfingTECH. edge of a surfboardTECH.
- He waxed the rail of his surfboard.
6.
wildlifeTECH. small wading bird with short wingsTECH.
- We spotted a rail near the marsh.
7.
- He was caught with a rail of cocaine.
Verb
1.
transportationintr. UK travel by train or railwayintr. UK
- We decided to rail across the country.
2.
complaintintr. complain or criticize loudly and angrilyintr.
- She would often rail against the unfair policies.
3.
constructiontr. Rare enclose or provide with railstr. Rare
- They will rail the garden to keep animals out.
Images of rail
horizontal bar used as a support or barrier 
system of tracks for trains 
means of transportation by train 
edge of a surfboard 
small wading bird with short wings
Expressions with rail
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
separate an area with a barrier
They decided to rail off the garden.
protest strongly and persistently
The citizens railed against the new tax law.
extremely thin like a rail
The model was rail thin, fitting perfectly into the dress.
topic considered dangerous to discuss
Social security is often seen as a third rail in politics.
extremely thin, often unhealthily so
After the illness, he was thin as a rail.
extremely narrow or slim in shape
The alley was so skinny as a rail only one person could pass.
using trains as the way of travel or transport
We shipped the goods by rail.
cost to travel by train
The rail fare to London is quite expensive.
route or service provided by a railway
The new rail line connects the two cities.
rail installed for safety purposes
The workers installed a safety rail along the edge of the platform.
bar in a bathroom for hanging or drying towels
She hung her towel on the towel rail.
business that runs trains or manages railway lines for transport
The rail company announced a new timetable for its evening services.
system of tracks and related structures used for train services
The government invested heavily in rail infrastructure to improve regional connections.
movement and flow of trains operating on railway lines
Heavy rail traffic caused long delays near the central station.
rail service connecting suburbs with a central city
She takes the commuter rail to work every day..
bar for stability in bathrooms
She installed a grab rail in the shower.
furniture rail for hanging clothes
She hung her coat on the hanging rail in the hallway.
end point of a railway line where trains load or unload
The rail terminal was bustling with passengers and cargo.
transport of passengers and goods by trains
Rail transport is crucial for moving goods across countries.
barrier along roads or bridges to prevent accidents
The car crashed into the guide rail but was prevented from falling off the bridge..
be harshly criticized or ridiculed
The politician was made to ride on a rail after the scandal.
travel by train
Every morning, she would ride the rail to work.
narrow shelf for displaying decorative plates
She arranged her china collection on the plate rail.
reverse a hierarchy by placing the lowest at the highest position
They decided to put the bottom rail on top to change the leadership.
Origin of rail
Latin, regula (rule) + French, rail (bar)
Terms with rail included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
urban transport
rapid transit rail system in a city
rail transport
train making limited stops for faster travel
rail transport
train stopping at all stations on its route
rail transport
scheduled time for a train's departure or arrival
rail transport
train service with limited stops
gymnastics apparatus
narrow wooden rail for gymnastics routines
rail transport
railway train powered by electricity from overhead lines or rails
rail transport
vehicle pulling trains on railway tracks
urban transit
citywide rail tunnels and facilities enabling below-street passenger service
rail transport
machine controlling access with ticket validation
rail transport
area in stations for buying travel tickets
rail disaster
accident involving train collision or derailment
rail transport
smaller-profile train for London's underground tunnels
rail transport
train powered by steam engine
rail transport
railway carriage serving meals to passengers
rail transport
open vehicle for carrying goods on a railway
rail transport
area in a station for buying tickets
rail transport
railroad car designed to carry passengers
Shinkansen
Japanese high-speed rail train
rail transport
place in a rail yard for handling and sorting cargo
rail transport
train car serving food and drinks to passengers
rail transport
switch on a railway for moving trains
rail transport
railway feature allowing trains to turn without reversing
rail transport
locomotive assisting a train on steep gradients
Examples of rail in a sentence
The rail was painted a bright red. The rail system in Japan is highly efficient. Workers were repairing the rail after the storm. The rail system in Europe is very efficient. He prefers rail over flying for long distances. The engineer adjusted the voltage on the rail.
Power was distributed evenly along the rail. The surfer repaired the rail after the accident. She admired the rail's design on her new board. A rail darted across the wetland swiftly. The rail's call echoed through the reeds at dawn. The table was covered with rails of drugs. He nervously eyed the rail before him. They plan to rail through Europe this summer. Many tourists rail between cities to enjoy the scenery. He would rail at the slightest inconvenience. The crowd began to rail against the decision. The workers will rail the new balcony for safety. They decided to rail the pathway in the park.
View all translations of rail
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:rampe, voyager en train, ...
- German:Geländer, mit dem Zug reisen, ...
- Italian:corrimano, viaggiare in treno, ...
- Spanish:barandilla, viajar en tren, ...
- Portuguese:corrimão, viajar de comboio, ...
- Chinese:扶手, 乘火车, ...
- Japanese:手すり, 鉄道で旅行する, ...
- Arabic:دَرابْزين, سافَرَ بِالقِطار, ...
- Hebrew:מַעֲקֶה, לִנְסוֹעַ בְּרַכֶּבֶת, ...
- Russian:перила, поехать поездом, ...
- Ukrainian:перила, подорожувати поїздом, ...
- Hindi:रेलिंग, रेल से जाना, ...
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