Word Noun
railing
n.
countable
B1 Intermediate US /ˈɹeɪɫɪŋ/ UK /ɹˈeɪlɪŋ/ rail·ing UK spelling railings
Definition
n.a fence or barrier made of metal or wood bars. You usually find them on stairs or balconies to keep people from falling.
n.a barrier consisting of a series of horizontal or vertical bars supported by posts. Often serves as a safety feature on staircases, balconies, or bridges.
Examples
“He held onto the metal railing as he walked down the stairs.”
“The balcony has a sturdy iron railing to prevent anyone from accidentally falling over the edge.”
“The architect specified a sleek glass and steel railing for the mezzanine to maintain an unobstructed view of the gallery below.”
Usage
Often used in the plural when referring to a long stretch of fencing.
Etymology
By surface analysis, rail + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated