First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1train
noun \ˈtrān\
Definition of TRAIN
obsoleteADVERTISEMENT
Origin of TRAIN
Middle English traine treachery, from Anglo-French, from trahir to betray, from Latin tradere — more at traitor
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
1
: a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer
3
: the vehicles, personnel, and sometimes animals that furnish supply, maintenance, and evacuation services to a combat unit
4
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>
5
: a line of combustible material laid to lead fire to a charge
6
: a series of moving mechanical parts (as gears) that transmit and modify motion <a gear train>
7
a : a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive b : an automotive tractor with one or more trailer units
8
: 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
2
: to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, and tying
3
a : to form by instruction, discipline, or drill b : to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient
4
: to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill
5
: to aim at an object or objective : direct <trained his camera on the deer> <training every effort toward success>
intransitive verb
1
: to undergo instruction, discipline, or drill
2
: 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
- 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>.
TRAINABLE Defined for Kids
1train
noun \ˈtrān\
Definition of TRAIN for Kids
1
: a connected series of railway cars usually hauled by a locomotive
2
: a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer
3
: a connected series <train of thought> <a train of events>
4
: a moving line of persons, vehicles, or animals <a wagon train>
5
: the followers of an important person
2train
verb
trainedtrain·ing
Definition of TRAIN for Kids
1
: to give or receive instruction, discipline, or drill
2
: to teach in an art, profession, or trade <I was never formally trained as a chef.>
3
: to make ready (as by exercise) for a test of skill <He's training for the race.>
4
: to teach (an animal) to obey
5
: to make (a plant) grow in a particular way usually by bending, trimming, or tying
6
: to aim something at a target <We trained our eyes on the horizon.>
— train·er noun
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