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
Soon Collie is ensnared in a plot to kidnap a sickly rich boy that immediately goes off the rails. Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 Optical sensors on the connection rails of each Joy-Con 2 mean the controllers double as mice. Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026 And Alexander could make sure the show stays on the rails. Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 May 2026 Plus, there’s only space for 62 passengers on this train, making for an even more intimate experience on the rails. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 May 2026 The National Treasury did not, however, give its approvals, pushing the project off the rails. Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 6 May 2026 First, my kid and her friends are still quoting that AI-garbage wrestling podcast that went unbelievably far off the rails. Jason Kirk, New York Times, 5 May 2026 When the train went off the rails, about a dozen employees gathered nearby but seemingly had no idea what to do. Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026 The Hot Cheetos Chicken Fries were where things really went off the rails, in a good way. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rails
Noun
  • The main goal of Kayla’s HOPE is to advocate for suicide prevention railings on the Washington Avenue Bridge across the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities, while the coalition aims to ensure that suicide prevention measures are integrated into national infrastructure.
    Maddie Mullikin, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
  • Heat and flames can easily spread to siding, railings, or nearby units.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Depending on the variant, the tank had a maximum speed of 22-30 mph (35-48 km/h) on roads and 15-20 mph (24-32 km/h) off-road, and an operational range of 100-150 mi (160-240 km) on roads and 60-100 mi (97-161 km) cross-country.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
  • Many roads were still blocked in Lincoln County and teams from the agency were assessing the damage.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
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
  • Republican primary runoff race for Railroad Commissioner candidates The office is misnamed, as the office does not oversee the state railroads.
    Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • The railroads refiled their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Thursday in hopes of pushing forward with the process.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Exempting fertilizer shipments from some regulations and prioritizing its shipment on railways and barges could help as well.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The Citi Custom Cash's select transit category encompasses a lot of purchases, including bus lines, subways, passenger railways and ferries.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rails. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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