trail
10 ENTRIES FOUND:
trails;
trailed;
trailing
trails;
trailed;
trailing
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRAIL
1
a
[+ object]
:
to pull (something) behind you especially on the ground
-
The dog was trailing [=dragging] its leash.
-
The little girl went to her room, trailing her teddy bear behind her.
b
[no object]
:
to be pulled behind someone or something
-
The dog's leash was trailing along/on the ground.
-
The little girl's teddy bear trailed behind her.
2
:
to walk or move slowly as you follow behind (someone or something)
[+ object]
-
He trailed us as we worked our way up the mountain.
[no object]
-
She marched down the street with her children trailing (along) behind/after (her).
-
He trailed behind (us) as we worked our way up the mountain.
3
:
to be behind in a race or competition
[no object]
-
The President is trailing in the polls as the election approaches.
-
We were trailing by 3 runs at the end of the 6th inning.
[+ object]
-
Our team trailed their team at the end of the 6th inning.
4
[+ object]
:
to follow and watch or try to catch (someone or something)
-
The dogs were trailing a fox.
-
Police trailed the suspect for six blocks.
5
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to move, flow, or extend slowly in a thin line
-
Smoke trailed (away) from the chimney.
-
A tear trailed down her cheek.
6
trail away/off
[phrasal verb]
— used to say that someone's voice becomes softer and softer and then stops
-
She started asking him a question, but then her voice trailed off.
-
“Do you think you could…” she said before trailing off.
2
trail
/ˈtreɪl/
noun
plural
trails
2
trail
/ˈtreɪl/
noun
plural
trails
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRAIL
[count]
1
:
a path through a forest, field, etc.
—
see also nature trail
-
Stay on the trail if we get separated.
-
a bike/ski trail
2
:
the marks, signs, smells, etc., that are left behind by someone or something and that can often be followed
— sometimes used figuratively
—
see also paper trail, vapor trail
-
He left (behind) a trail of blood.
-
The car left a trail of smoke as it sped off.
-
The storm left a trail of destruction in its wake. [=the storm caused a lot of destruction as it moved across the land]
-
The dogs were following her trail. = The dogs were on her trail.
-
When we got to the river, the trail went cold. [=it could no longer be found or followed]
-
The police are hot on the trail of the escaped convicts. [=are chasing the escaped convicts and are close to catching them]
-
As he gained more political power, he left a trail of bitterness behind him. [=he treated people badly and made them feel bitter]
3
:
a route that someone follows to go somewhere or achieve something
-
following the trail to success
-
The candidates talked about the people they met on the campaign trail. [=the people they met while going to different places during the campaign]
blaze a trail
hit the trail
chiefly US
:
to begin a journey
-
We should be ready to hit the trail by 8:00.
-
The candidates will soon be hitting the campaign trail.
