third rail
noun
1
: a metal rail through which electric current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (such as a subway car)
2
: a controversial issue usually avoided by politicians
Examples of third rail in a Sentence
Social Security is the third rail of American politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
All their lives were at risk because if Mr. Lynskey touched the third rail while the rescuers were touching him, they all could be electrocuted.
—
Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The bottom line: Republican lawmakers have generally considered ESAs to be a third rail and are extremely resistant to Democratic proposals to eliminate or curtail the 2022 expansion of the program.
—Jeremy Duda, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025
There is another third rail in this equation: Xinjiang.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Then there is the third rail of Trump World: Mr. Putin.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for third rail 
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.
Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The bottom line: Republican lawmakers have generally considered ESAs to be a third rail and are extremely resistant to Democratic proposals to eliminate or curtail the 2022 expansion of the program.
—Jeremy Duda, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025
There is another third rail in this equation: Xinjiang.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Then there is the third rail of Trump World: Mr. Putin.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for third rail
Articles Related to third rail
Dictionary Entries Near third rail
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20rail. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share