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
Changes to Medicaid have proven contentious, and Medicare is often considered a political third rail.
—
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Centering African-American stories and characters, DuVernay’s films frequently come into contact with the third rails of American history, such as incarceration, segregation and slavery.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Social Security is the third rail of American politics
Social Security advocates say Trump and Musk, the tech billionaire, are learning a lesson absorbed by many politicians and policy wonks before them.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
But that doesn’t make the subject any less the third rail for nearly everybody in the SNL orbit.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
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Joseph Choi, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Centering African-American stories and characters, DuVernay’s films frequently come into contact with the third rails of American history, such as incarceration, segregation and slavery.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Social Security is the third rail of American politics
Social Security advocates say Trump and Musk, the tech billionaire, are learning a lesson absorbed by many politicians and policy wonks before them.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
But that doesn’t make the subject any less the third rail for nearly everybody in the SNL orbit.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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