English Lexicon

Guardrail

/ˈɡɑːrd.reɪl/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A barrier placed alongside a road or path to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway.

    "The guardrail effectively prevented the car from tumbling down the steep embankment."
  2. 2

    A protective barrier used in various contexts, such as construction sites or pedestrian areas.

    "Workers installed a guardrail around the construction site to ensure safety."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'guardrail' is a compound word formed from 'guard' and 'rail'. 'Guard' originates from the Old French 'garde', meaning to protect, while 'rail' comes from the Old English 'regal', referring to a bar or rod. The term evolved in the early 20th century to denote safety barriers on roads.

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