✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

railing

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ How to pronounce railing (audio)
Synonyms of railingnext
1
: a barrier consisting of a rail and supports
2
: rails
also : material for making rails

Synonyms of railing

Examples of railing in a Sentence

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
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.
Last but not least, the home features the coziest front porch, complete with eye-catching front and side railings, that can be transformed into the perfect space for unwinding with outdoor furniture, a porch swing, a set of string lights, and a stylish doormat, of course. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025 The railings are strung with pink and green baubles, velvet ribbon and leafy garland. Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025 Then a Galápagos brown pelican, seemingly enchanted by the scent of the mahi-mahi being prepared, landed on the railing. Betsy Andrews, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025 Since then, three more men have died by jumping or falling over or under the railings, and two others have been injured. Paul Egan, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for railing

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of railing was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Railing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/railing. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

railing

noun
rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ How to pronounce railing (audio)
1
: a barrier (as a fence) consisting of rails and their supports
2
: material for rails

More from Merriam-Webster on railing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!