rail

Everyday

1. A rail is a long bar fixed in place, used to hold on to, to hang things on, or to make a fence. tree →
2. Rails are the metal bars that trains run on. tree →
3. Rail means the railway, as in travel by rail. tree →
4. To rail at someone means to complain or shout angrily at them. tree →

In the lessons

In safety, hold the hand rail on stairs and escalators, and never climb on balcony rails. Train rails can be very dangerous: never play on or near railway lines, and cross only at proper crossings when lights and barriers show it is safe; some rails carry electricity. In everyday life, clothes hang on a rail; towels on a towel rail. In geography, rail transport moves people and goods. «Off the rails» means out of control.

Examples

• Hold on to the rail when you go down the stairs. tree →
• Never play near the railway rails. tree →
• The train runs on metal rails. tree →
• We travelled by rail from London to Edinburgh. tree →
• Hang your coat on the rail. tree →
• The towel rail in the bathroom is warm. tree →
• Don't lean over the balcony rail. tree →
• And the poor wife put everything to rights, and reproached and railed at her husband. tree →

Note

Countable for bars (a rail, rails); uncountable for the system (by rail). «Railway» (UK) or «railroad» (US). «Railing(s)» = a fence of rails. «Handrail» = a rail to hold.