ENGLISH
REFERENCE

railing

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɹeɪɫɪŋ// UK //ɹˈeɪlɪŋ// rail·ing

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.


SIMPLE

He held onto the metal railing as he walked down the stairs.

CONTEXTUAL

The balcony has a sturdy iron railing to prevent anyone from accidentally falling over the edge.

COMPLEX

The architect specified a sleek glass and steel railing for the mezzanine to maintain an unobstructed view of the gallery below.

Synonyms
Origin

By surface analysis, rail + -ing.

Usage

Often used in the plural when referring to a long stretch of fencing.

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