railing

1 of 2

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ 

1

: a barrier consisting of a rail and supports

2

: rails

also : material for making rails

railing

2 of 2

present participle of rail entry 2, rail entry 4

Synonyms of railing

Noun

• rail

Examples of railing in a Sentence

Noun

He leaned on the deck's railing and watched the sun set.

they had to put a childproof railing on the balcony when the baby started walking

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, as bystanders on the boardwalk jumped over railings to avoid the speeding car. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

In some extreme cases, views were restricted by railings, but many complained about poor sightlines or having bridges in the way. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Tourists speaking several languages, some wearing foam Statue of Liberty crowns, filled the seats; Quan made his way to an upper-deck railing. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

This easy-to-install set of 16 lights is backed by more than 11,000 perfect ratings for its ability to illuminate porch steps, fences, railings, pathways, patios, and driveways with a soft, warm-white light. — Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for railing

• ailing
• bailing
• baling
• failing
• flailing
• grayling
• hailing
• jailing
• mailing
• nailing
• paling
• sailing

Kids Definition

railing

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ 

1

: a barrier (as a fence) consisting of rails and their supports

2

: material for rails