trail

Pronunciation

• enPR: trāl
• IPA ^(key): /treɪl/
• SAMPA: /treIl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular trail

Plural trails

A trail

1. (countable) A trail is a way to get to a place, usually made of dirt and used by hikers or horse riders.

   That trail leads into the woods.

2. (countable) A trail is a path that is followed by a hunter.

Synonyms

• (path for travel over land)
  • footpath
  • path
  • track
• (track followed by a hunter)
  • spoor

Related words

• trailblazer
• condensation trail
• paper trail
• audit trail
• trail mix

Verb

Plain form trail

Third-person singular trails

Past tense trailed

Past participle trailed

Present participle trailing

1. (transitive) If you trail someone, you follow that person.

   If you don't know the way you can trail me when I go.

   The thief must have trailed me home.

2. (transitive) If you trail something, you drag it or drop it behind you.
3. (transitive) If you leave a trail of something, you leave material behind as you move.

   The snail left a trail of slime.

   The tail of a comet is trailing gas and dust.

Related words

• trailer