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REFERENCE

trail

n. · v.
US //ˈtɹeɪɫ// UK //tɹˈeɪl// trail
  1. 1 a path (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a path through the countryside, often made of dirt or grass rather than a paved road.

    a rough path or track through a wild or rural area, typically unpaved and intended for walking or cycling.

    Example

    We followed a narrow trail through the forest until we reached the lake.

    Example

    The hiking trail winds steeply through the pine forest before opening onto a spectacular view of the valley below.
  2. 2 a mark left behind (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a series of marks or signs left by something that has passed by.

    a mark, scent, or series of signs left by a person, animal, or object as it moves along.

    Example

    The wet dog left a trail of muddy footprints across the clean kitchen floor.

    Example

    The jet left a long white vapor trail across the clear blue sky, marking its path toward the coast.
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  1. 3 TV preview (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Theatre

    a short advertisement for a future television programme or film.

    a brief promotional broadcast used to advertise an upcoming television programme or cinematic release.

    Example

    I saw a trail for the new drama series during the news break.

    Example

    The network aired a thirty-second trail for the documentary, hoping to build anticipation for the season premiere.
  2. 4 to follow (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to follow someone by staying behind them, often secretly.

    to follow behind someone or something, often for the purpose of surveillance or tracking.

    Example

    The private detective trailed the suspect for three days without being seen.

    Example

    The police trailed the vehicle through the city outskirts, waiting for the driver to meet with his accomplices.
  3. 5 to be losing (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    to be behind another person or team in a competition or game.

    to be losing a competition or falling behind a competitor in terms of score or progress.

    Example

    The team was trailing by two goals at half-time but managed to win.

    Example

    Despite trailing for most of the race, the runner found a sudden burst of energy in the final lap to overtake the leader.
  4. 6 to drag behind (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to pull something along the ground behind you.

    to drag or be dragged along the ground or another surface behind a moving object.

    Example

    The child walked slowly, trailing her blanket on the floor behind her.

    Example

    The long silk dress trailed elegantly across the marble floor as she moved through the ballroom.
  5. 7 military carry (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Military

    to carry a rifle or gun low to the ground with one hand.

    to carry a firearm in a specific position with the muzzle forward and the butt near the ground.

    Example

    The soldiers were ordered to trail arms as they moved quietly through the brush.

    Example

    The infantrymen were instructed to trail their rifles to avoid catching the barrels on the low-hanging branches of the dense jungle canopy.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive in this sense, usually taking 'arms' or a specific weapon as its object.

Origin

From Middle English trailen, from Old French trailler (“to tow; pick up the scent of a quarry”), from Vulgar Latin *tragulāre (“to drag”), from Latin tragula (“dragnet, javelin thrown by a strap”), probably related to Latin trahere (“to pull, drag along”).

Word family
Idioms6 entries

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