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to rail

to rail

1 2.4
To travel by train
  • verb
  • /reɪl/
translation icon : viajar en tren
  • Now, however, the impact on household budgets and monthly cash flow from much higher oil prices is pushing U.S. transportation demand rather dramatically away from roads and highways—and instead to rail.

Examples

  • The cargo containers flow from ships to rail and vice versa day and night at our seaports.

    Blog text (28)
  • The shipment will be railed across the country to reach our warehouse by Friday.

  • Many people prefer to rail by train instead of traveling by car due to the convenience.

  • Goods are often railed to reduce transportation costs and minimize traffic congestion.

Synonyms

to train
vsto rail
  • UK
7 1.0

To travel by rail to another place

also covers moving goods as well as personal journeys
to ride the rails
vsto rail
4 7.4

To travel long distances by train in a relaxed or adventurous way

is neutral travel or transport without the long or adventurous tone
to railroad
vsto rail
  • Archaic
2.1

To send people or goods by train

includes both personal travel and commercial transport rather than only service

Idioms

skinny as a rail
  • Informal
1 7.0

Very thin person with little or no fat

9.9

To be publicly punished or laughed at in a way that shames you

Phrasal Verbs

To surround a place with rails or a fence for protection

To separate people or part of a place by putting up a barrier

Compounds

16 2.8

Tracks and the ground they sit on that form a route for trains

third rail
  • Specialized
4 7.7

An extra rail beside train tracks that provides electricity to trains

1 4.3

A fence made of long wooden rails laid in a zigzag to keep animals in

1 2.8

A long narrow piece of wood that sits across posts to make a barrier

fife rail
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A low fence around a sailing ship's mast that holds ropes or supports people

rail technology
  • Specialized
1 4.4

The planning, building, and running of trains, tracks, and stations

rail-splitter
  • Archaic
1 8.8

A person who splits logs to make wooden rails for fences

1 2.3

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

1 6.1

A long wooden piece cut lengthwise from a log used in fences

1 4.8

A fence made from split logs stacked horizontally in a zigzag

bilevel rail car
  • Specialized
5.2

A train car with two levels of seats to carry more passengers

A train car with two levels of seats to carry more passengers

9.0

A small brown bird that lives in fields and meadows, often hidden in tall grass

loot rail
  • Jargon
9.5

A system in a game that gives items fairly to each player

A narrow rail fixed high on a wall for hanging paintings

A narrow shelf fixed to a wall for showing plates and small decorations

2.5

A bar fixed to a wall for hanging towels to dry

A low wooden fence made of rails in a zigzag that marks a border

How Fast

to fly
2.3
to rail
1 2.4
drive
372 1.0
to cycle
10 1.8
walk
758 1.0

Surface Forms

rail infinitive
railed past
railed past participle
railing present participle
rails third person singular

Etymology

Rail as a verb meaning to travel by train comes from the noun rail (the track). So to rail somewhere is to go there by train.