chair rail

noun

plural chair rails
: a molding on a wall around a room to protect the wall from being damaged by the backs of chairs
… had removed the chair rail, thereby eliminating the dado effect …Elizabeth Lambert

Examples of chair rail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The kitchen is next to the formal dining room, which features more shadow boxing wall treatments under a chair rail, a crown molding, and the gracefully arched passageway to the entry hall. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025 Handsome millwork, which includes crown molding and a chair rail, adds visual appeal, while a chandelier provides illumination for dining after dark. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2025 The front entry’s fireplace, one of 10 in the home, is surrounded by exceptional millwork and flat panel wall treatments below a chair rail. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025 The hardwood flooring glistens while shadow boxing under a chair rail and crown molding enhance the visual appeal. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025 In addition to crown molding, there is shadow boxing under the room’s chair rail. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025 In addition to crown molding, the dining room has a chair rail and enjoys immediate access to the kitchen through solid double doors. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 Apr. 2025 Hardwood flooring from the living room flows into the dining room, which also has a chair rail and crown molding. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025 On the other side of the kitchen is a dining area with wooden chair rail molding. Angela Serratore, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chair rail was in 1798

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chair rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chair%20rail. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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