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
Closing military installations is another third rail.
—
Kathleen Hicks, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020
What these accomplishments have in common is that environmental groups were willing to grab the third rail of politics.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
Sleep training has become the third rail of parenting conversations, with fierce defenders and opponents on either side.
—Jasmine Mote, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2024
This marks only the third rail replacement in the 2.9-mile elevated loop's history.
—Annalise Frank, Axios, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for third rail 
Kathleen Hicks, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020
What these accomplishments have in common is that environmental groups were willing to grab the third rail of politics.
—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
Sleep training has become the third rail of parenting conversations, with fierce defenders and opponents on either side.
—Jasmine Mote, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2024
This marks only the third rail replacement in the 2.9-mile elevated loop's history.
—Annalise Frank, Axios, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for third rail
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'third rail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20rail. Accessed 8 Sep. 2024.
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