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¹trail

verb \ˈtrāl\

: to pull (something) behind you especially on the ground

: to be pulled behind someone or something

: to walk or move slowly as you follow behind (someone or something)

Full Definition of TRAIL

intransitive verb

a : to hang down so as to drag along or sweep the ground

b : to extend over a surface in a loose or straggling manner <a vine that trails over the ground>

c : to grow to such length as to droop over toward the ground <trailing branches of a weeping birch>

a : to walk or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily : plod, trudge

b : to lag behind : do poorly in relation to others

: to move, flow, or extend slowly in thin streams <smoke trailing from chimneys>

a : to extend in an erratic or uneven course or line : straggle

b : dwindle <her voice trailing off>

: to follow a trail : track game

transitive verb

a : to draw or drag loosely along a surface : allow to sweep the ground

b : haul, tow

a : to drag (as a limb or the body) heavily or wearily

b : to carry or bring along as an addition, burden, or encumbrance

c : to draw along in one's wake

a : to follow upon the scent or trace of : track

b : to follow in the footsteps of : pursue

c : to follow along behind

d : to lag behind (as a competitor)

See trail defined for English-language learners

See trail defined for kids

Origin of TRAIL

Middle English, perhaps from Anglo-French *trailer, alteration of trainer to drag, trail on the ground — more at train

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TRAIL

Synonyms: bird-dog, chase, course, dog, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track, follow

Antonyms: guide, lead, pilot

Synonym Discussion of TRAIL

chase, pursue, follow, trail mean to go after or on the track of something or someone. chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running <a dog chasing a cat>. pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain <pursued the criminal through narrow streets>. follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake <friends followed me home in their car>. trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object <trail deer> <trailed a suspect across the country>.

Rhymes with TRAIL

ail, ale, bail, bale, Bâle, brail, braille, Braille, dale, fail, flail, frail, Gael, gale, Gale, grail, hail, hale, jail, kale, mail, male, nail, pail, pale, quail, Quayle, rail, sail, sale, scale, shale, snail, stale, swale, tael, tail, taille, tale, vail, vale, veil, wail, wale, whale, Yale

²trail

noun

: a path through a forest, field, etc.

: the marks, signs, smells, etc., that are left behind by someone or something and that can often be followed

: a route that someone follows to go somewhere or achieve something

Full Definition of TRAIL

: something that trails or is trailed: as

a : a trailing plant

b : the train of a gown

c : a trailing arrangement (as of flowers) : spray

d : the part of a gun carriage that rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered

a : something that follows or moves along as if being drawn along : train <a trail of admirers>

b (1) : the streak produced by a meteor (2) : a continuous line produced photographically by permitting the image of a celestial body (as a star) to move over the plate

c : a chain of consequences : aftermath <the…movement left a trail of bitterness and prejudice behind it — Paul Blanshard>

a : a trace or mark left by something that has passed or been drawn along : scent, track <a trail of blood>

b (1) : a track made by passage especially through a wilderness (2) : a marked or established path or route especially through a forest or mountainous region

c : a course followed or to be followed <hit the campaign trail>

— trail·less \ˈtrāl-ləs\ adjective

See trail defined for English-language learners