trail

1 of 2

verb

ˈtrāl 

trailed; trailing; trails

intransitive verb

1

a

: 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

2

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

1

a

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

b

: haul, tow

2

a

: 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

3

a

: 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

2 of 2

noun

1

a(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

2

a

: 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

trailless

ˈtrāl-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

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

Noun

• footpath
• path
• pathway
• trace
• track

Choose the Right Synonym for trail

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

This time around, Meghan ditched the trailing over-skirt, the fussy updo, and the pointy shoes for a take that felt cooler and more modern—as well as commendably conscious. —Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2024

Trump: The president-elect sued The Des Moines Register for running a pre-election poll that showed him trailing Kamala Harris. Space: U.S. agencies have opened at least three reviews into whether Elon Musk and SpaceX complied with protocols intended to protect state secrets. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024

Noun

The program includes a beginner lesson, skiing or snowboarding rental equipment and a lift pass for the beginner area or cross-country trail. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024

Dubai: Beyond the over-the-top luxury and futuristic towers, discover bustling souks, a contemporary art district and desert cycling trails. —Ethelene Whitmire, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, perhaps from Anglo-French *trailer, alteration of trainer to drag, trail on the ground — more at train

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing trail

• audit trail
• blaze a trail
• campaign trail
• hit the trail
• hot on the trail of
• nature trail
• paper trail
• trail (along) behind/after
• trail away/off
• trail bike
• trail goes cold
• trail mix
• trail of bread crumbs
• vapor trail
• water trail

Kids Definition

trail

1 of 2 verb

ˈtrā(ə)l 

1

: to drag or draw along behind

2

: to lag behind

3

a

: to follow upon the scent or trace of : track

dogs trailing a fox

b

: to follow in the tracks of : pursue

photographers trailed the actor

4

: to hang down or rest on or creep over the ground

trailing vines

a trailing skirt

5

: to form a trail

smoke trailed from the chimney

6

: to become less and less : dwindle

the voice trailed off

trail

2 of 2 noun

1

: something that trails or is trailed

2

: a trace or mark left by something that has passed or been drawn along

3

a

: a track made by passage : a beaten path

b

: a path marked to show a route (as through a forest)

hiking trails

c

: an established course or routine

hit the campaign trail