train

verb

• 1teach (a person or animal) a particular skill or type of behaviour through sustained practice and instruction:the scheme trains people for promotion [with object and infinitive]:the dogs are trained to sniff out illegal stowaways
• [no object] be taught through sustained practice and instruction:he trained as a plumber
• (usually as adjective trained) develop and improve (a mental or physical faculty) through instruction or practice:an alert mind and trained eye give astute evaluations

• 2 [no object] undertake a course of exercise and diet in order to reach or maintain peak physical fitness in preparation for a specific sport or event:she trains three times a week
• [with object] prepare (a person or animal) for a particular sport or event with a course of exercise and diet:the horse was trained in Paris
• (train down) reduce one’s weight through diet and exercise in order to be fit for a particular event:he trained down to heavyweight

• 3 (train something on/at) point or aim something, typically a gun or camera, at:the detective trained his gun on the side door

• 4cause (a plant) to grow in a particular direction or into a required shape:they trained crimson ramblers over their houses

• 5 [no object, with adverbial of direction] dated go by train:Charles trained to London with Emma

• 6 archaic entice (someone).

noun

• 1a series of connected railway carriages or wagons moved by a locomotive or by integral motors:a freight train the journey took two hours by train
• a series of gears or other connected parts in machinery: a train of gears

• 2a number of vehicles or pack animals moving in a line:a camel train
• a retinue of attendants accompanying an important person: a minister and his train of attendants

• 3a series of connected events or thoughts:the train of events leading to Pascoe’s death I failed to follow his train of thought

• 4a long piece of material attached to the back of a formal dress or robe that trails along the ground: the bride wore a cream silk dress with a train

• 5a trail of gunpowder for firing an explosive charge.