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 idea of restricting defenses against nuclear attack has long been a third rail in American politics, especially among Republicans. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Flagrantly practicing an especially ribald strain of cringe comedy that brushes several third rails, often simultaneously, the show could have been a disastrous gambit. — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

The guild pulling its sponsorship of Urbanworld reflects how AI remains a third rail within the creative community, even as everyone from directors to actors to director-actor-executive hybrids embrace it in different ways. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 30 July 2026

That is part of why K-12 schools have long been treated like a third rail. — Karl Mawhinney, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for third rail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email