Word
railing
Phoneticsrail·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹeɪɫɪŋ/
UK/ɹˈeɪlɪŋ/
Countable noun
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.”
Examples
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.”
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.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/railing