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rail

rail

220 1.8
The network of tracks and services for trains
  • noun
  • /reɪl/
translation icon : ferrocarril
  • Traveling by rail is often more relaxing than flying, as you can enjoy the scenery along the way.
  • rail system
  • rail line
  • rail travel

It's on the high speed rail between Shanghai and Nanjing.

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Examples

  • Among the costs comprising this category were highway maintenance, additional rail crossings, and increased traffic patrolling.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Prior to the 1950s, U.S. passenger rail travel was the largest and most innovative in the world.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Obviously we need to build out a huge high speed rail network.

  • So overall, it's higher for rail and bus, but you have some.

  • We're working with private sector players who have built good rail on American soil.

  • At this time, however, there was still no rail connection or roads to the new camps.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The crisis reached a head this afternoon when all rail travel between western zones and Berlin was stopped.

  • However, there is a rising need for mass transit within cities and interstate rail passenger service.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Engineers are leading the way in planning light rail, bus rapid transit systems, and even high-speed rail lines.

    Academic text (2012)
  • It's the most extensive subway system in the world, encompassing 481.2 rail miles.

Synonyms

railway
vsrail
  • UK
26 1.0

A company that runs trains to carry people or goods

refers to the transport network or travelling by train rather than the company
railway system
vsrail
  • UK
1 2.7

A company that runs trains to carry people or goods on tracks

means the whole transport system or travel by train

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

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

air travel
28 2.0
rail
220 1.8
bus
1.0
bicycle
280 1.0
walking
337 1.0

Surface Forms

rail singular
rails plural

Etymology

Rail meaning the railway comes from the same idea of a long metal bar called a rail, which trains run on. So to talk about travel 'by rail' is to speak of travel on those metal bars, that is, by train.