rails 1 of 2

Definition of railsnext
plural of rail
1
as in railings
a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in roads
a roadway overlaid with parallel steel rails over which trains travel an abandoned stretch of rail that was overgrown with brush

Synonyms & Similar Words

rails

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rail

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rails
Noun
But as the season progressed, the [shudders] discourse really went off the rails. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026 This technique helps extend the lifespan of the rails and reduces wear on the railcar wheels. Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026 Rather than all driving to Maitland and meeting there, walking and riding the rails together gave the event a field-trip-like quality that added to the novelty and fun. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026 This rails to trails path follows the former line of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026 The Chiefs’ 2025 season went off the rails and Mahomes suffered a knee injury that required surgery. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026 According to Morgan, there will also be mobile units that can go up for 48 hours while CTDOT staff are fixing guard rails, potholes or a drainage project. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026 The American brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard is moving into a 270-square-foot space fitted with picture frame moldings, curved brass hanging rails and a travertine table that wouldn’t look out of space in a Parisian interior. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025 Cribs, pack-n-plays, high chairs, and bed rails are standard offerings at most family-friendly properties. Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rails
Noun
  • Solplex Solar Deck Lights 16 Pack, Warm White Safely illuminate steps, gardens, railings, and more with 16 warm white LED lights.
    Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
  • There are frequent shuttle stops, railings at major viewpoints, and plenty of benches.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Now the roads and sidewalks are open, and life is being breathed back into both the small business community and the city, Hoiosen told the Idaho Statesman.
    Rose Evans November 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • And his ultimate war is with Bob, a tech CEO who rants about his haters and has gotten rich off rebranded snake oil and whose obvious corruption has been obscured by his self-mythologizing.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
  • One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In the late 19th century, in the wake of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Japanese immigrants began arriving in California in search of opportunity, enticed by the promise of employment with mining companies, agricultural producers, and railroads.
    Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • At the time, the STB ended up approving that $31 billion takeover largely due to the small size of KCS, with the merging companies remaining the smallest of the Class I North American railroads.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Roads and railways have been damaged and power disrupted in several areas.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The terminal operator aims to enhance the port’s capacity and capabilities with state-of-the-art container and liquid cargo-handling infrastructure, while strengthening multimodal connectivity with India’s major railways and inland infrastructure.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rails. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

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