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guardrail

guardrail

17 3.4
A strong railing at the edge of places like roads and bridges that stops people or vehicles from falling
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɑrdˌreɪl/
translation icon : barrera de seguridad
  • The guardrail along the bridge prevented cars from falling into the river.
  • federal guardrail

Well, they had glow in the dark guardrails and decals.

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Examples

  • The Jeep drifted right, struck the guardrails, bounced back, and went into a long sideways skid.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • We'd been going fast on a curvy back road with no guardrails, a few miles from my house.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The heavy green sheet that they had given him for warmth got stuck in the guardrail lock.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Or that the guardrail wasn't strong enough.

  • At the end of our lane, they stepped over the guardrail and crossed the highway.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The convertible went over a guardrail in Jersey.

  • To his right, a cliff goes straight up; on the left, a guardrail protects a steep ravine.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • A treacherous cliff drops quickly away from the road, certain death protected by an inadequate guardrail.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Police say it appears she lost control of the light blue 1989 Mustang... and crashed through a guardrail along the ravine.

  • The original dispute involved a $100,000 contract to repair guardrails along a federal highway.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

banister
vsguardrail
17 2.7

A rail at the side of stairs or a balcony that people hold to stop them from falling

is stronger and meant to protect vehicles on bridges and roads
railing
vsguardrail
14 1.6

A row of bars and posts along an edge, like on stairs or balconies, to stop people from falling

is stronger and used where vehicles might go over edges
bannister
vsguardrail
  • UK
11 3.4

A handrail at the side of stairs that people hold for support

is built stronger and also designed to stop vehicles from falling
handrail
vsguardrail
11 1.8

A bar fixed beside stairs or a balcony that you hold for support

is constructed heavier to resist vehicle impact at road or bridge edges
balustrade
vsguardrail
3 8.1

A railing with short vertical posts along a staircase or balcony to stop people falling

is heavier duty and intended to protect vehicles and pedestrians
safety rail
vsguardrail
1 2.3

A strong bar along stairs or platforms that stops people from falling

is stronger and built to stop vehicles as well as people
handrailing
vsguardrail
1 2.9

A rail you hold for support on stairs or ramps

is made stronger and intended to stop vehicles as well as people

How Protective

crash barrier
  • UK
3.2
guardrail
17 3.4
railing
14 1.6

Surface Forms

guardrail singular
guardrails plural

Morphology

guardrail = guard + rail (transparent) = guard + rail

The meaning is directly the combination of 'guard' (to protect) and 'rail' (a barrier), yielding a barrier that protects from falling.

Etymology

Guardrail is made of guard ('to protect' or 'watch') and rail ('a bar', like in handrail or railway). Think of it as a 'watching bar' that keeps people and cars safe at the edge of a road, bridge, or stairs, which is exactly why a guardrail stops things from falling.