rail is on the Basic English 850 List.
quite - rail - rain
rail is one of the 1000 most common headwords.
radio - rail - raise

Pronunciation change

Noun change

Singular
rail

Plural
rails

 
A railing for people to hold
 
A train of rail cars that go along rail tracks
  1. A rail is a long and thin piece of metal.
  2. A rail is a long and thin bar along a stairway or path for people to slide their hand along while they walk.
    She put her hand on the railing beside the stairs so she wouldn't fall.
  3. A rail is a surface where trains run on.
    The railway stretches across the country.