1
as in railings
a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports
the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail
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Recent Examples of rails
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Then things really went off the rails when we somehow got locked into a discussion about Israel and Palestine.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Some are even fitted with hooks or gallery rails to maximize space.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Erin Eirwin was watching the bull riding when LaBeouf scrambled over the side of the rails, running past her.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Riders flow through rails and jumps, linking tricks that get judged on difficulty, execution, amplitude and style.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But who is to blame for America's Next Top Model going off the rails?
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 16 Feb. 2026
Slopestyle, whereby skiers perform a series of tricks over a course of rails and jumps, requires a sense of flow, and for that, McEachran often turns to some smooth Frank Ocean soul, or perhaps just some good old country.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
However, challenges such as the creeks and coastal lagoons have slowed progress and required some segments to be routed away from the rails and onto nearby surface streets.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
The hotel also has 20 ADA-compliant rooms across all floors, plus 27 rooms designed around older guests with bathroom rails and shower benches.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Then things really went off the rails when we somehow got locked into a discussion about Israel and Palestine.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Some are even fitted with hooks or gallery rails to maximize space.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Erin Eirwin was watching the bull riding when LaBeouf scrambled over the side of the rails, running past her.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
Riders flow through rails and jumps, linking tricks that get judged on difficulty, execution, amplitude and style.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
But who is to blame for America's Next Top Model going off the rails?
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 16 Feb. 2026
Slopestyle, whereby skiers perform a series of tricks over a course of rails and jumps, requires a sense of flow, and for that, McEachran often turns to some smooth Frank Ocean soul, or perhaps just some good old country.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
However, challenges such as the creeks and coastal lagoons have slowed progress and required some segments to be routed away from the rails and onto nearby surface streets.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rails
Noun
-
The first-floor entrance lobby and six-story atrium, including terrazzo floors, concrete walls, skylights and brass railings, are also recommended for protection and not to be altered.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Another two guest bedrooms are situated on the upper floor, with all three spilling out to a travertine terrace with frameless glass railings.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The property is hidden among a tangle of rural roads and surrounded by windmills, offering a refuge from the bustling local beach of S'Arenal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 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
-
But officials from both railroads said Thursday that their work remained on schedule, and that the second track over the Hackensack River would return by the evening of March 15.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The railroads arms, lights and audio bells were working at the time of the crash, police say.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years, the cemetery has been impacted multiple times due to construction of roadways and railways, including the highway construction in the 1980s and 1990s.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
It's rated for everyone ages 8 and up and sees up to five players compete to dominate the railways of early 20th century America by claiming routes.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rails. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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