guardrail

noun

guard·​rail ˈgärd-ˌrāl How to pronounce guardrail (audio)
Synonyms of guardrailnext
: a railing guarding usually against danger
especially : a barrier placed along the edge of a highway at dangerous points

Examples of guardrail in a Sentence

the car ran off the road, but fortunately only hit the guardrail
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.
My buddy was just up 84 and saw a state car (woman) veer off and hit a guardrail, then straighten it out. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026 Now this is our time to protect democracy from the threat of dismantling our institutions, guardrails and laws. Leslie Hoyle Guerra, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026 Contessa’s Corner Sports leagues, state gambling regulators and tribal leaders have all raised concerns that prediction market trades on sports don’t have the same level of guardrails as sportsbooks to protect against cheating by athletes, referees, coaches and other insiders. Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026 The bill is the result of a push by DeSantis, who has emerged in recent months as a prominent critic of the data centers and had promised that the state would set guardrails for consumers. Emily L Mahoney, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guardrail

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guardrail was in 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guardrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guardrail. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

guardrail

noun
guard·​rail ˈgär-ˌdrāl How to pronounce guardrail (audio)
: a protective railing placed along dangerous areas (as of a road)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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