trail

Syllabification: (trail)

Pronunciation: /trāl/

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Definition of trail

noun

1a mark or a series of signs or objects left behind by the passage of someone or something:a trail of blood on the grass
a track or scent used in following someone or hunting an animal:police followed his trail to Atlantic City
a part, typically long and thin, stretching behind or hanging down from someone or something:smoke trails trails of ivy
a line of people or things following behind each other:a trail of ants

2a beaten path through rough country such as a forest or moor.
a route planned or followed for a particular purpose:a Democratic candidate on the campaign trail
(also ski trail) North American a downhill ski run or cross-country ski route.

3short for trailer (sense 2 of the noun).

4the rear end of a gun carriage, resting or sliding on the ground when the gun is unlimbered.

verb

1 [with adverbial] draw or be drawn along the ground or other surface behind someone or something: [with object]:Alex trailed a hand through the clear water [no object]:her robe trailed along the ground
[no object] (typically of a plant) grow or hang over the edge of something or along the ground:the roses grew wild, their stems trailing over the banks
[with object] follow (a person or animal), typically by using marks, signs, or scent left behind.
[no object] be losing to an opponent in a game or contest: [with complement]:the Packers were trailing 10-6 at halftime

2 [no object] walk or move slowly or wearily:she trailed behind, whimpering at intervals
(of the voice or a speaker) fade gradually before stopping:her voice trailed away

3 [with object] advertise (something, especially a film or program) in advance by broadcasting extracts or details.

4 [with object] apply (slip) through a nozzle or spout to decorate ceramic ware.

Origin:

Middle English (as a verb): from Old French traillier 'to tow', or Middle Low German treilen 'haul (a boat)', based on Latin tragula 'dragnet', from trahere 'to pull'. Compare with trawl. The noun originally denoted the train of a robe, later generalized to denote something trailing

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Definition of trail in the British & World English dictionary

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trail

noun

verb

Origin:

trail in other Oxford dictionaries

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