Virginia rail

noun

: an American long-billed rail (Rallus limicola) that has gray cheeks

Examples of Virginia rail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under the Virginia rail program, VRE, which runs eight round-trips each weekday on the Fredericksburg line, is expected to add five new round-trip trains during the rush hour and introduce three round-trips on Saturday and Sunday by 2030. Luz Lazo, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023 Elsewhere in the county were a Virginia rail and a marsh wren at Lake Wallace in Belchertown, four sandhill cranes in the fields off Old Post Road in Worthington, and two continuing blue grosbeaks at the Honey Pot in Hadley. BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Virginia rail was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near Virginia rail

Cite this Entry

“Virginia rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Virginia%20rail. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Virginia rail

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!