rail

noun \ ˈrāl \

Definition of rail

1 a : a bar extending from one post or support to another and serving as a guard or barrier

b : a structural member or support

2 a : railing 1

b : a light structure serving as a guard at the outer edge of a ship's deck

c : a fence bounding a racetrack

3 a : a bar of rolled steel forming a track for wheeled vehicles

b : track

c : railroad

Origin and Etymology of rail

Middle English raile, from Anglo-French raille, reille bar, rule, from Latin regula straightedge, rule — more at rule

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Railroad Terms

cowcatcher, cupola, gauge, vestibule, yard

rail

verb

Definition of rail

transitive verb

: to provide with a railing : fence

First Known Use of rail

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

rail

noun

Definition of rail

plural rail or rails

: any of numerous wading birds (family Rallidae, the rail family) that are of small or medium size and have short rounded wings, a short tail, and usually very long toes which enable them to run on the soft mud of marshes

Illustration of rail

Origin and Etymology of rail

Middle English raile, from Middle French raalle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

rail

verb

Definition of rail

intransitive verb

: to revile or scold in harsh, insolent, or abusive language

—

railer

noun

Origin and Etymology of rail

Middle English, from Middle French railler to mock, probably from Old French reillier to growl, mutter, from Vulgar Latin *ragulare to bray, from Late Latin ragere to neigh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of rail

scold, upbraid, berate, rail, revile, vituperate mean to reproach angrily and abusively. scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

- angrily scolding the children

upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

- upbraided her assistants for poor research

berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

- berated continually by an overbearing boss

rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

- railed loudly at their insolence

revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

- an alleged killer reviled in the press

vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

- was vituperated for betraying his friends

RAIL Defined for Kids

rail

noun \ ˈrāl \

Definition of rail for Students

1 : a bar extending from one support to another and serving as a guard or barrier

2 : a bar of steel forming a track for wheeled vehicles

3 : railroad 1

They travel across Canada by rail.

rail

verb

Definition of rail for Students

railed; railing

: to provide with a railing

rail

noun

Definition of rail for Students

: a small or medium-sized wading bird related to the crane that has very long toes for walking on the soft mud of marshes

rail

verb

Definition of rail for Students

railed; railing

: to scold or complain in harsh or bitter language

Students railed about a longer school year.

Learn More about rail

See words that rhyme with rail Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rail Spanish Central: Translation of rail Nglish: Translation of rail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rail for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rail

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rail

Definition of rail

Origin and Etymology of rail

Other Railroad Terms

rail

Definition of rail

First Known Use of rail

rail

Definition of rail

Illustration of rail

Origin and Etymology of rail

rail

Definition of rail

railer

Origin and Etymology of rail

Synonym Discussion of rail

Phrases Related to RAIL

Related Phrases

RAIL Defined for Kids

rail

Definition of rail for Students

rail

Definition of rail for Students

rail

Definition of rail for Students

rail

Definition of rail for Students

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