plural trains
1
a
: a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive
traveled the country by train
A train puffs across the Railroad Connection Bridge …—
Helen Cooper
Helen Cooper
b
: an automotive tractor with one or more trailer units
Tractor trains can operate not only within a plant but also outdoors between plants. These trains are especially useful where loads are too bulky or heavy for forklift trucks …—Joseph C. Quinlan
Joseph C. QuinlanThe [farm] tractor was 11.52 tonnes and the trailer 18.30 tonnes, giving a train weight of 29.82 tonnes.—Farmers Guardian (Preston, England)
Farmers Guardian (Preston, England)2
a
: the retinue or suite of a person of rank or consequence : following
In his train flock not the industrial workers of the world but the literary intellectuals of the capital cities of the world …—Sidney Hook
Sidney Hook
b
: a moving file of persons, vehicles, or animals
They had been walking for eight days. So had their small train of camels, mules and donkeys …—Matthew Parris
Matthew Parris
c
: the luminous trail or tail of a meteor or comet
Sightings of spiral meteor trains are not new.—Stephen James O'Meara
Stephen James O'Meara3
a
: an orderly succession
lost her train of thought
b
chiefly British
: a sequence (as of events or actions) leading to some result or goal
—often used in the phrase in train
A revolution had been set in train.—Max Davidson
Max DavidsonA vigorous campaign has been in train for most of this year to prevent the Royal family from being deported in September.—Raymond Keene
Raymond Keene
c
: accompanying or resultant circumstances : aftermath
consequences the discovery will bring in its train
4
: a series of moving mechanical parts (such as gears) that transmit and modify motion
a gear train
5
: a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer
Her bridal train was carried by a pretty flower girl …—Geoff Robinson
Geoff Robinson6
: the vehicles, personnel, and sometimes animals that provide maintenance, supply, and evacuation services to a combat unit
… Edward IV had an artillery train which impressed contemporaries, and which was clearly intended to provide for field actions as well as sieges.—Anthony Goodman
Anthony Goodman7
chemical engineering
: a series of parts or elements that together constitute a system for producing a result and especially for carrying on a process (such as the liquefaction of gas or separation of petroleum) automatically
an oil production train
8
: a line of combustible material laid to lead fire to a charge
A train of powder burning at a known rate can be made into an accurate timer as the length of the train is directly proportional to the time it takes to burn.—Robert A. Howard
Robert A. Howard
trained; training; trains
1
a
: to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient
b
: to form by instruction, discipline, or drill
2
: to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill
3
: to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, and tying
4
: to aim at an object or objective : direct
trained his camera on the deer
training every effort toward success
Examples of train in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a movie star who never goes anywhere without a train of personal assistants to cater to his every whim and need
a train of supply trucks making its way to the army encampment
already a long train of ticket buyers waiting outside the stadium
you've broken my train of thought—now what were we talking about?
Verb
He was never formally trained as a chef.
I've been trained in first aid.
I'm training her to take over my job when I retire.
My boss is training me on the new equipment.
We need to train more nurses.
They are highly trained professionals.
I'm training to be a nurse.
I trained at that hospital.
He's training as a chef.
She had to train her mind to think scientifically.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The finding could also influence other technologies that rely on magnetic and electronic properties, from MRI machines to maglev trains and even superconductors.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
For dog lovers, USA TODAY Pets is your ultimate resource — from training tips to health hacks and fun stories.
—Allison Moses, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for train
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Local resident Lee Needham also told the BBC that the crash site was close to houses, train tracks, industrial units and electrical towers.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The finding could also influence other technologies that rely on magnetic and electronic properties, from MRI machines to maglev trains and even superconductors.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Developed in partnership with Willis, the six-week program pairs Topicals’ clinical expertise with her signature educational approach, training 10,000 estheticians and dermatologists on best practices for treating skin of color.
—Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
For dog lovers, USA TODAY Pets is your ultimate resource — from training tips to health hacks and fun stories.
—Allison Moses, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for train
Cite this Entry
“Train.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/train. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
train
1 of 2 noun1
: a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer
2
: a number of followers or attendants : retinue
3
: a moving file of persons, vehicles, or animals
wagon train
4
a
: an orderly connected series of events, actions, or ideas
train of thought
5
: a series of moving machine parts (as gears) for transmitting and modifying motion
6
: a connected line of railroad cars
train
2 of 2 verb1
: to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, and tying
2
a
: to teach in an art, profession, or trade
b
: to teach (an animal) to obey
3
: to make ready for a test of skill or strength
4
: to aim at an object or target
trained their eyes on the horizon
trainability
noun
ˌtrā-nə-ˈbil-ət-ē
trainable
adjective
ˈtrā-nə-bəl
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