train
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
trains
plural
trains
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRAIN
1
:
a group of vehicles that travel on a track and are connected to each other and usually to an engine
:
a connected group of railroad cars
— often used before another noun
[count]
-
The train pulled into the station.
-
You can get off/on the train in Atlanta.
-
I took a train to Madrid.
-
We caught the last train.
-
We slept on the train.
-
a passenger train [=a train that people use for traveling]
-
a commuter train [=a train that people use to get to and from work]
-
an express train [=a train that has very few stops]
-
a subway train [=an underground train]
-
(US) a freight train = (Brit) a goods train [=a train carrying cargo]
[noncount]
-
We traveled by train through Europe.
-
a train [=railroad] station
-
train tracks
-
a train schedule/signal/ticket
-
a train crash = (US) a train wreck
2
[count]
old-fashioned
:
a group of people, vehicles, or animals that are moving in a line
—
see also wagon train
-
a funeral train
-
a mule train
3
[count]
:
an orderly series of events, actions, or ideas
-
a train of events
-
I lost my train of thought [=I forgot what I was thinking about] when you interrupted me.
4
[count]
technical
:
a series of moving machine parts (such as gears) for controlling motion
-
There's a problem with the car's drive train.
-
the gear train
5
[count]
:
a part of a long dress that trails behind the woman who is wearing it
—
see color picture on this page
in train
British, formal
:
in an active state or condition
-
a process that had been in train for decades
-
The plans have been set in train. [=set in motion]
2
train
/ˈtreɪn/
verb
trains;
trained;
training
2
train
/ˈtreɪn/
verb
trains;
trained;
training
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRAIN
1
a
[+ object]
:
to teach (someone) the skills needed to do something (such as a job)
:
to give instruction to (someone)
-
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.
b
[no object]
:
to be taught the skills needed to do something (such as a job)
-
I'm training to be/become a nurse.
-
I trained at that hospital.
-
He's training as a chef.
2
[+ object]
:
to cause (someone or something) to develop an ability or skill
-
She had to train her mind to think scientifically.
-
You can train yourself to relax.
-
A trained [=practiced] eye can detect the slightest imperfection.
-
Only a trained ear could hear the difference.
3
a
[no object]
:
to try to make yourself stronger, faster, or better at doing something before competing in an event or competition
-
The team trains five hours a day.
-
He is training for the Olympics.
b
[+ object]
:
to help (someone) to prepare for an event or competition
:
to coach (an athlete)
-
He trained several generations of track-and-field athletes.
4
[+ object]
:
to teach (an animal) to obey commands
—
see also house-train
-
She trained her dog to sit.
-
The police use trained dogs to sniff out drugs.
-
The dog was never properly trained. [=taught to obey]
5
[+ object]
:
to make (a plant) grow in a particular direction usually by bending, cutting, or tying it
-
You can train this vine to climb up a wall.
6
[+ object]
:
to aim or point (something) toward something or in a particular direction
-
He trained the flashlight into the hole.
-
We trained our eyes on the horizon. [=we looked toward the horizon]
-
a very trainable dog
