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

To see how much the chief justice has changed, remember the role he played in Trump’s first term: the uneasy guardrail against some of the president’s most extreme policies and grievances.

From Slate

In a sign of how important the race was in the fight for control of Congress, former President Clinton appeared in Orange County and urged Tran’s supporters to elect the Army veteran, noting that his win could help Democrats provide “the last guardrail against a more tyrannical government or the beginning of a new majority.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now, the only guardrail left to preserve the still-standing parts of this imperfect democracy are voters, who may cast their ballots against Trump and hope the results are honored.

From Slate

“He can be whatever kind of criminal he wants as president and he is practically untouchable. So Congress’ role as the essential guardrail has only become more and more important.”

From Los Angeles Times

I saw this outside my home once when a white male driver who had crashed his speeding car into a guardrail then threatened a group of Spanish-speaking drivers he’d just passed, calling them “beaners” and kicking and punching the side of their car, even though they’d stopped to help him.

From Salon