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¹train

noun \ˈtrān\

Definition of TRAIN

obsolete

: scheme, trick

Origin of TRAIN

Middle English traine treachery, from Anglo-French, from trahir to betray, from Latin tradere — more at traitor

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with TRAIN

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne

²train

noun

Definition of TRAIN

: a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer

a : retinue, suite

b : a moving file of persons, vehicles, or animals

: the vehicles, personnel, and sometimes animals that furnish supply, maintenance, and evacuation services to a combat unit

a : order of occurrence leading to some result —often used in the phrase in train <this humiliating process had been in train for decades — Paul Fussell>

b : an orderly succession <a train of thought>

c : accompanying or resultant circumstances : aftermath <consequences the discovery will bring in its train>

: a line of combustible material laid to lead fire to a charge

: a series of moving mechanical parts (as gears) that transmit and modify motion <a gear train>

a : a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive

b : an automotive tractor with one or more trailer units

: a series of parts or elements that together constitute a system for producing a result and especially for carrying on a process (as of manufacture) automatically

— train·ful \ˈtrān-ˌfu̇l\ noun

Origin of TRAIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from trainer to draw, drag

First Known Use: 14th century

³train

verb

: to teach (someone) the skills needed to do something (such as a job) : to give instruction to (someone)

: to be taught the skills needed to do something (such as a job)

: to cause (someone or something) to develop an ability or skill

Full Definition of TRAIN

transitive verb

: trail, drag

: to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, and tying

a : to form by instruction, discipline, or drill

b : to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient

: to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill

: to aim at an object or objective : direct <trained his camera on the deer> <training every effort toward success>

intransitive verb

: to undergo instruction, discipline, or drill

: to go by train

— train·abil·i·ty \ˌtrā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— train·able \ˈtrā-nə-bəl\ adjective

See train defined for English-language learners

Origin of TRAIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French trainer, from Vulgar Latin *traginare; akin to Latin trahere to draw

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TRAIN

Synonyms: season, condition

Antonyms: decondition

Synonym Discussion of TRAIN

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill. teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn <taught us a lot about our planet>. instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching <instructs raw recruits in military drill>. educate implies development of the mind <more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person>. train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view <trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft>. discipline implies training in habits of order and precision <a disciplined mind>. school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master <schooled the horse in five gaits>.

TRAIN Defined for Kids