Meaning of rail In English

• 0 the system of transport that uses trains:

  • Environmentalists argue that more goods should be transported by rail.

  • A train left/went off the rails and crashed into the bank, killing several passengers.

• 1 a horizontal bar fixed in position, especially to a wall or to vertical posts, used to close something off, as a support, or to hang things on:

  • Will spectators please stay behind the rail?

  • Hold onto the rail so that you don't fall.

  • The (clothes) rail in her wardrobe was crammed full of dresses.

• 2 to complain angrily:

  • He railed against/at the injustices of the system.

• 3 one of the two metal bars fixed to the ground on which trains travel

  • [ U ] rail transportation

  • [ U ] Commuter rail and subway lines will be linked.

• 4 a straight bar or rod fixed in position, esp. to a wall or to vertical posts, used to enclose something or as a support:

  • The car swerved out of control and crashed through a guard rail on the bridge.

• 5 to complain angrily:

  • He railed against the injustices of the system.

• 6 transport or travel by train:

  • by rail Brazil transports 30% of its goods by rail.

  • We need more investment in road and rail.

  • Rail travel accounts for less than 1% of the trips we make annually.

  • Road and rail links to the airport are good.