trail

verb

\ ˈtrāl

trailed; trailing; trails

Definition of trail

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to hang down so as to drag along or sweep the ground

b : to extend over a surface in a loose or straggling manner a vine that trails over the ground

c : to grow to such length as to droop over toward the ground trailing branches of a weeping birch

2a : to walk or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily : plod, trudge

b : to lag behind : do poorly in relation to others

3 : to move, flow, or extend slowly in thin streams smoke trailing from chimneys

4a : to extend in an erratic or uneven course or line : straggle

b : dwindle her voice trailing off

5 : to follow a trail : track game

transitive verb

1a : to draw or drag loosely along a surface : allow to sweep the ground

b : haul, tow

2a : to drag (something, such as a limb or the body) heavily or wearily

b : to carry or bring along as an addition, burden, or encumbrance

c : to draw along in one's wake

3a : to follow upon the scent or trace of : track

b : to follow in the footsteps of : pursue

c : to follow along behind

d : to lag behind (someone, such as a competitor)

trail

noun

Definition of trail (Entry 2 of 2)

1a(1) : a track made by passage especially through a wilderness

(2) : a marked or established path or route especially through a forest or mountainous region

b : a trace or mark left by something that has passed or been drawn along : scent, track a trail of blood

c : a course followed or to be followed hit the campaign trail

2a : something that follows or moves along as if being drawn along : train a trail of admirers

b : a chain of consequences : aftermath the … movement left a trail of bitterness and prejudice behind it— Paul Blanshard

c(1) : the streak produced by a meteor

(2) : a continuous line produced photographically by permitting the image of a celestial body (such as a star) to move over the plate

3 : something that trails or is trailed: such as

a : a trailing plant

b : the train of a gown

c : a trailing arrangement (as of flowers) : spray

d : the part of a gun carriage that rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered

Other Words from trail Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about trail

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Synonyms & Antonyms for trail

Synonyms: Verb

bird-dog, chase, course, dog, follow, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track

Synonyms: Noun

footpath, path, pathway, trace, track

Antonyms: Verb

guide, lead, pilot

Choose the Right Synonym for trail

Verb

chase, pursue, follow, trail mean to go after or on the track of something or someone. chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running. a dog chasing a cat pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain. pursued the criminal through narrow streets follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake. friends followed me home in their car trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object. trail deer trailed a suspect across the country

Examples of trail in a Sentence

Verb

The little girl went to her room, trailing her teddy bear behind her. The dog's leash was trailing along the ground. The little girl's teddy bear trailed behind her. He trailed us as we worked our way up the mountain. The President is trailing in the polls as the election approaches. We were trailing by 3 runs at the end of the 6th inning. Our team trailed their team at the end of the 6th inning.

Noun

Stay on the trail if we get separated. The car left a trail of smoke as it sped off. following the trail to success

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Sage Hill converted a two-point conversion and trailed 38-8. — Andrew Campa, Daily Pilot, "Sage Hill football falls to Flintridge Prep, suffers first regular-season loss since 2017," 7 Sep. 2019 After coming back from a seven-run deficit Thursday night to win 11-9 in 13 innings, the Astros once more trailed after a half-inning as Valdez struggled through four innings with six strikeouts, six walks and three runs on two hits. — David Barron, Houston Chronicle, "Astros rally again to defeat Mariners," 7 Sep. 2019 Depending on the source, FanGraphs or Baseball-Reference, Marte either is nipping at both players’ heels in Wins Above Replacement or trails only Bellinger among National League pos

trail

Definition of trail

Other Words from trail

Synonyms & Antonyms for trail

Choose the Right Synonym for trail

Examples of trail in a Sentence

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