A beaten path, typically through the countryside
“Pulling their coats tightly around them, the men followed the winding trail along the rocky mountains.”
A track, scent, or other indication used in following someone or hunting an animal
“Investigators are said to be hot on the trail of others who may have taken part in the operation.”
A row, array or line of objects or people
“Have you ever had a trail of ants practically carry off your sandwich at a picnic?”
A steady flow of liquid or gas
“He did not describe a trail of smoke, which one would expect to see when a meteor or large object enters the earth's atmosphere.”
The water or air disturbed by a moving boat or aircraft
“It's about noticing the incredible shapes an airplane's vapor trail makes in the blue sky as it unravels into nothing.”
The consequences or after-effects of an event
“The deadly hurricane left a trail of destruction in its wake.”
A way used as a road
The action of physically pursuing or chasing someone or something
Tracks or marks
A downward or declining slope or surface
A long walk, typically a tiring one
An area over which (or a space into which) a dispersed substance has spread or fanned out
A distinct impression or quality associated with something
Sprawl or extension
A piece of information that may help in an investigation
To pursue, typically in order to keep track of, or to apprehend, someone
“A more reliable procedure is for the officer to trail the suspect, keeping the dispatcher informed of his location.”
To walk or move slowly or wearily
“Their tired donkeys, heavily laden, trail slowly behind them.”
To fall or lag behind, especially in a game or contest
“It looked like they would trail by only four points before Johnson slotted a penalty after halftime.”
To fade gradually before stopping
“The medium's voice began to trail off, her words grew faint and then finally stopped.”
To draw or be drawn along behind someone or something
“If you are going to trail a cart from a bicycle, I think 16-inch wheels are the minimum.”
To hang over the edge of something
“Plant a few bright-colored impatiens mixed with English ivy to trail over the edges of your hosta containers.”
To creep along the surface of something
“Hydrangeas are massed along the circular driveway, accentuated with larger shrubs, while vines trail along the stone foundation.”
To give advance publicity to (a film, broadcast, or proposal)
“This is how TV channels repeatedly trail their top shows to try to make us watch them.”
To move slowly, heavily, clumsily, or with difficulty
To move or walk, especially in an orderly fashion as a group in a single line
To move or pass at a slow speed, especially of time
To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread
To cause splashing by moving a body part like a bill or limb in soft mud, water, etc.
To draw someone or something out, to entice, to lure as if with trailing bait
To decrease in number, amount, intensity, or quality
To apply great and continuous effort
To walk or move in a leisurely or aimless way
Related Words and Phrases
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