third rail
noun
1
: a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (such as a subway car)
2
: a controversial issue usually avoided by politicians
Examples of third rail in a Sentence
Social Security is the third rail of American politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
The extreme danger comes from multiple factors: low clearance in tunnels, electrical hazards from the third rail, sudden train movements, and the risk of falling onto tracks or platforms.
—
Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Three of every 10 Chicago schools sit at least half-empty, and closing or merging them remains a political third rail.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
The conflict in Gaza is an obvious third rail in Hollywood right now.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Avon is rebooting its third rail—expanding into e-commerce, retail, digital and other platforms, to form a new crucial pillar of its global omnichannel strategy.
—Dean Debiase, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
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Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Three of every 10 Chicago schools sit at least half-empty, and closing or merging them remains a political third rail.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
The conflict in Gaza is an obvious third rail in Hollywood right now.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Avon is rebooting its third rail—expanding into e-commerce, retail, digital and other platforms, to form a new crucial pillar of its global omnichannel strategy.
—Dean Debiase, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20rail. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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