Rail: meaning, definitions and examples

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rail

[ reɪl ]

^{Context #1}

transport

A track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which passenger and freight trains run.

Synonyms

railway, track, train track

Examples of usage

The train runs on the rail.
The rail network connects cities across the country.

^{Context #2}

furniture

A horizontal bar attached to a wall or ceiling, used for hanging things on.

Synonyms

bar, beam, pole

Examples of usage

She hung her clothes on the rail in the closet.
The curtain is hanging from the rail.

^{Context #3}

criticize

To harshly or severely criticize someone or something.

Synonyms

condemn, criticize, denounce

Examples of usage

The media will rail against the government's decision.
He railed at the referee for his controversial decision.

Translations

Translations of the word "rail" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trilho

🇮🇳 रेल

🇩🇪 Schiene

🇮🇩 rel

🇺🇦 рейка

🇵🇱 szyna

🇯🇵 レール

🇫🇷 rail

🇪🇸 riel

🇹🇷 ray

🇰🇷 레일

🇸🇦 سكة حديدية

🇨🇿 kolejnice

🇸🇰 koľajnica

🇨🇳 轨道

🇸🇮 tirnica

🇮🇸 járnbrautarteinn

🇰🇿 рельс

🇬🇪 რკინიგზა

🇦🇿 reys

🇲🇽 riel

Word origin

The word 'rail' has its origins in Middle English, coming from the Old French 'reille', which ultimately derives from the Latin 'regula' meaning 'straight line' or 'rule'. The use of 'rail' to refer to a track for trains dates back to the early 19th century when the first railways were being built. Over time, the word also came to be used in the context of furniture and as a verb meaning to criticize harshly.

See also: derail, railing, raillery, railroad, rails, railway.