guardrail

noun

guard·​rail ˈgärd-ˌrāl 

: a railing guarding usually against danger

especially : a barrier placed along the edge of a highway at dangerous points

Synonyms

• railing
• rail

Examples of guardrail in a Sentence

the car ran off the road, but fortunately only hit the guardrail

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than acting as gatekeepers, security team members should act as enabling partners who provide guardrails and platforms that enable their counterparts in development to move quickly, without compromising safety. —Harvendra Singh, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

There’s a broader story to tell these days about the urgent removal of financial guardrails and the gradual buildup of structural excesses now underway: Congress is greenlighting stablecoins and blessing crypto-ownership expansions. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 July 2025

The project includes chip sealing, new guardrail and shoulder improvements. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 26 July 2025

That includes the timeframe of the investment as well as an advisory board and guardrails against potential conflicts of interest. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guardrail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

guardrail

noun

guard·​rail ˈgär-ˌdrāl 

: a protective railing placed along dangerous areas (as of a road)