trail

TRAYL/tɹeɪl/

19 meanings of trail

1
nouncountable
A narrow path for walking or horse riding, usually through woods or hills.
Like a thin line worn into the ground by people walking the same way.
We followed the trail up to the lake.
The trail through the forest was muddy after the rain.
Similarpath, track, footpath
2
nouncountable
Marks left behind that show where someone or something has gone.
Like footprints in sand that show where someone walked.
The dog left a trail of muddy paw prints across the floor.
Hunters followed the deer's trail through the snow.
Similarsign, spoor
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3
verbtransitive
To follow behind a person or animal to see where they go.
Like following a friend at a distance to see where they're going.
Reporters trail celebrities hoping to catch a story.
The detective trailed the thief all afternoon.
Similarfollow, tail, shadow, track, stalk
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4
verbintransitive
To be losing in a game or race, behind the other side.
Like being the runner who is behind the others in a race.
Our team trailed by ten points at halftime.
They trail in the polls but hope to catch up.
Similarlag
Oppositelead
5
verbtransitive
To pull something behind you so it drags along the ground.
Like pulling a toy on a string so it slides along the floor.
The child trailed her blanket across the kitchen floor.
Workers trail heavy cables behind them across the site.
Similardrag, tow, pull, haul
6
verbintransitive
To hang down loosely behind, or to move slowly in a soft sweeping way.
Like a long dress that drags softly along the ground behind you.
Her scarf trailed in the wind as she walked.
Long vines trail over the garden fence.
Similarsweep, drag, stream, dangle, hang
7
nouncountable
A set route that someone follows from place to place.
Like a planned path of stops you visit one after another.
The candidate spent weeks on the campaign trail.
After the show, the comedians moved on to the next stop on their tour trail.
Similarcircuit, route, road
8
verbtransitive
To leave a line of marks or bits behind you as you move.
Like a melting ice cream that leaves drips behind you.
The truck trailed dust along the dirt road.
Wounded animals often trail blood as they flee.
Similarleave, drip
9
verbintransitive
To travel by following paths or by making new ones.
Like walking a long path that others have walked before.
The pioneers trailed westward in search of new land.
Each summer, the herders trail through the mountain passes.
Similartrek, travel, journey
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10
verbintransitive
To move along slowly and lazily, as if you don't want to go.
Like a sleepy child who walks slowly behind everyone else.
The tired children trailed behind their parents all the way home.
Exhausted shoppers trail toward the exit at closing time.
Similartrudge, plod, traipse, straggle, drift

11
verbintransitive
To grow by spreading along the ground or climbing, the way some plants do.
Like a plant slowly spreading out to cover the ground.
These plants trail along the ground and cover the soil.
The vine trailed up the side of the house.
Similarcreep, spread, climb, ramble, sprawl
12
nouncountable
A short clip shown on TV to advertise a movie or show that is coming soon.
Like a movie poster, but as a short video shown on TV.
The trail for the new comedy made everyone want to watch it.
I caught a trail for the documentary during the commercial break.
Similartrailer, preview, promo, teaser
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13
verbtransitive
To show a short preview of a movie or show, or to share part of a report early.
Like sharing a sneak peek so people get excited for the real thing.
The channel will trail the new series all next week.
Reporters trailed the findings before the official report came out.
Similarpreview, promote, advertise
Note
14
verbtransitive
To make a path through a place by moving across it again and again.
Like wearing a path into the grass by walking the same way each day.
Years of footsteps trailed a path across the meadow.
The sheep trail the same ground every day until it turns to mud.
Similartread, wear, beat
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15
verbtransitive
To move farm animals from one place to another by guiding the herd along a path.
Like walking a big group of animals along a road to a new field.
The ranchers trailed their cattle to the new pasture.
They will trail the sheep down the valley before winter.
Similardrive, herd, move
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16
nouncountable
The small gap between where a wheel touches the road and where the steering line meets the road.
Like a shopping cart's wheels that swing to follow behind and keep it going straight.
A bike with more trail feels steadier at high speed.
The mechanic measured the trail before adjusting the front fork.
17
nouncountable
In math, a path through points where you never use the same connection twice.
Like a route through a town where you never drive down the same street twice.
A trail lets you cross each bridge only once.
We drew a trail that used every line just one time.
Note
18
verbtransitive
To carry a gun low at your side, with the back end near the ground and the front tilted forward.
Like carrying a long stick low at your side instead of up on your shoulder.
The soldiers trailed their rifles as they crossed the field.
He was told to trail his weapon during the advance.
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19
verbdatedtransitive
To trick someone by using what they do not know.
Like a clever seller fooling someone who doesn't know any better.
The peddler trailed the new arrivals with his clever talk.
I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) trailing Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance.
1847, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], Jane Eyre. An Autobiography.Here, trailing means fooling someone by taking advantage of what they do not know.
Similardupe, fleece, con, cheat, swindle
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Practice

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Origin

It comes from an Old French word meaning to tow or to follow an animal's scent, which came from Latin words about dragging.