guardrail

[ gahrd-reyl ]

noun

1. Also guardrailing. a protective railing, rail, railing, as along a road or stairway.
2. Railroads. a rail laid parallel to a track to prevent derailment or to keep derailed rolling stock from leaving the roadbed.

guardrail

/ ˈɡɑːdˌreɪl /

noun

1. a railing at the side of a staircase, road, etc, as a safety barrier
2. Also called (Brit)checkrail railways a short metal rail fitted to the inside of the main rail to provide additional support in keeping a train's wheels on the track

Word History and Origins

Origin of guardrail¹

First recorded in 1825–35; guard + rail ¹

Example Sentences

The stock market initially shot up after the election presumably because investors anticipated a business-friendly administration with fewer guardrails.

From Salon

That wouldn’t just test the guardrails on a president’s powers, it would “crash through them,” wrote Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center for Justice.

From Los Angeles Times

Video of the crash site shows a red SUV busted through a guardrail on Sawtelle Boulevard and into the side of the house.

From Los Angeles Times

The driver of the firetruck swerved around the ladder, resulting in the truck striking a guardrail and flipping over.

From Los Angeles Times

“The thing that is worrisome is, in the last administration, there were at least some guardrails,” Erwin said.

From Salon