Rail — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈrāl/

Meaning & Definition of Rail

Rail (noun)

  1. a bar extending from one post or support to another and serving as a guard or barrier
  2. a structural member or support
  3. railing
  4. any of numerous wading birds (family Rallidae, the rail family) that are of small or medium size and have short rounded wings, a short tail, and usually very long toes which enable them to run on the soft mud of marshes

Rail (verb)

  1. to provide with a railing, fence
  2. to revile or scold in harsh, insolent, or abusive language

Rail (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports

    "the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail"

    similar: balustrade, banister, guardrail, railing
    related: handrail, taffrail, fender

  2. a roadway overlaid with parallel steel rails over which trains travel

    "an abandoned stretch of rail that was overgrown with brush"

    similar: railroad, railway, road
    related: el, elevated, elevated railroad, monorail

Rail (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in revile, rant

    similar: fulminate, rant, revile, anathematize, confound, damn, execrate, imprecate, blaspheme, curse, cuss, swear

Related Entry: Rail (at or against) (verb)

Rail (at or against) is a different word from Rail. The synonyms below are for rail (at or against), not for rail.

  1. to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

    "we could hear the cook in the kitchen railing against his assistant and wondered if we'd ever get our food"

    similar: baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste, lecture, rag, rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, score, tongue-lash, upbraid, lay into, read the riot act (to), take to task
    related: admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove, abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (slang), excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate, belittle, disparage, mock, put down, ridicule, scoff, scorn
    near: approve, endorse, sanction, extol, laud, praise

Related Entry: Rail (against) (verb)

Rail (against) is a different word from Rail. The synonyms below are for rail (against), not for rail.

  1. as in fulminate (against), revile

    similar: cuss (out), fulminate (against), revile, dang, darn, dash, hex, jinx, voodoo, condemn, damn, denounce, execrate, reprobate, anathematize, beshrew (archaic), curse, imprecate, maledict
    opposite: bless, applaud, commend, congratulate

Related Entry: Third rail (noun)

Third rail is a different word from Rail. The synonyms below are for third rail, not for rail.

  1. as in hot button

    similar: hot button, flash point, powder keg, time bomb, tinderbox, volcano

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Rail

The most common words with a similar meaning to Rail:

balustrade, banister, guardrail, railing, railroad, railway, road, fulminate, rant, revile, anathematize, confound, damn, execrate, imprecate, blaspheme, curse, cuss, swear

Related Words for Rail

handrail, taffrail, fender, el, elevated, elevated railroad, monorail

Word Forms of Rail

Inflections: railed, railing, rails

Derived words: railer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Rail

Middle English raile, from Anglo-French raille, reille bar, rule, from Latin regula straightedge, rule rule

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Rail

Words & Phrases Containing Rail

rail-splitter, altar rail, chair rail, clapper rail, fife rail, light-rail

Frequently Asked Questions about Rail

What does "Rail" mean?

"Rail" means a bar extending from one post or support to another and serving as a guard or barrier. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a bar extending from one post or support to another and serving as a guard or barrier. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Rail"?

Other words for "Rail" include balustrade, banister, guardrail, railing, railroad, railway, road and fulminate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Rail" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Rail"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Rail". Common alternatives include balustrade, banister, guardrail, railing, railroad, railway, road, fulminate, rant and revile.

How do you use "Rail" in a sentence?

Examples of "Rail" in a sentence: "the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail"; "an abandoned stretch of rail that was overgrown with brush".

Is "Rail" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Rail" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Rail" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Rail" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Rail"?

"Rail" is pronounced /ˈrāl/.

What is the origin of the word "Rail"?

"Rail" comes from Middle English raile, from Anglo-French raille, reille bar, rule, from Latin regula straightedge, rule rule. First known use: 14th century.