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Definition of 'train'

Word Frequency

train in noun uses

(treɪn )
Word forms: plural trains
1. countable noun [oft by NOUN]
A train is a number of carriages, cars, or trucks which are all connected together and which are pulled by an engine along a railway. Trains carry people and goods from one place to another.
The train pulled into a station.
We can catch the early morning train.
He arrived in Shenyang by train yesterday.
Synonyms: locomotive, railway train   More Synonyms of train
2. countable noun
A train of vehicles, people, or animals is a long line of them travelling slowly in the same direction.
In the old days this used to be done with a baggage train of camels.
...a long train of oil tankers. [+ of]
Synonyms: convoy, file, rank, string   More Synonyms of train
3. countable noun [usually singular]
A train of thought or a train of events is a connected sequence, in which each thought or event seems to occur naturally or logically as a result of the previous one.
He lost his train of thought for a moment, then recovered it. [+ of]
Giles set in motion a train of events which would culminate in tragedy. [+ of]
Synonyms: sequence, series, chain, string   More Synonyms of train
4. countable noun
The train of a woman's formal dress or wedding dress is the long part at the back of it which flows along the floor behind her.
5. 
in train
6. 
in its train
More Synonyms of train
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

train in verb uses

(treɪn )
Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense trains , present participle training , past tense, past participle trained
1. verb
If someone trains you to do something, they teach you the skills that you need in order to do it. If you train to do something, you learn the skills that you need in order to do it.
The U.S. was ready to train its troops to participate. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Stavros was training to be a teacher. [VERB to-infinitive]
Psychiatrists initially train as doctors. [VERB + as]
We don't train them only in bricklaying, but also in other building techniques. [VERB noun + in]
Companies tend to favour the lawyer who has trained with a good quality City firm. [VERB]
I'm a trained nurse. [VERB-ed]
Our workforce is highly trained and competitive. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: study, learn, qualify, be taught   More Synonyms of train
-trained   combining form
Mr. Koutab is an American-trained lawyer.
...French-trained troops.
trainer Word forms: plural trainers   countable noun
...a book for both teachers and teacher trainers.
Synonyms: training shoe, sneaker [US], running shoe, sports shoe   More Synonyms of train
2. verb
To train a natural quality or talent that someone has, for example their voice or musical ability, means to help them to develop it.
I see my degree as something which will train my mind and improve my chances of getting a job. [VERB noun]
Some children come to school with more finely trained perceptual skills than others. [VERB-ed]
3. verb
If you train for a physical activity such as a race or if someone trains you for it, you prepare for it by doing particular physical exercises.
Strachan is training for the new season. [VERB + for]
He has spent a year training crews for next month's round the world race. [VERB noun + for]
Synonyms: exercise, prepare, work out, practise   More Synonyms of train
trainer   countable noun
She went to the gym with her trainer.
Synonyms: training shoe, sneaker [US], running shoe, sports shoe   More Synonyms of train
Synonyms: coach, manager, guide, adviser   More Synonyms of train
4. verb
If an animal or bird is trained to do particular things, it is taught to do them, for example in order to be able to work for someone or to be a good pet.
Sniffer dogs could be trained to track them down. [be VERB-ed to-infinitive]
...a man who trained hundreds of dogs. [VERB noun]
She had brought her trained sheepdog to help in the rescue. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun to-infinitive]
Synonyms: coach, exercise, drill, rehearse   More Synonyms of train
trainer   countable noun
The horse made a winning start for his new trainer.
Synonyms: training shoe, sneaker [US], running shoe, sports shoe   More Synonyms of train
5. verb
If you train something such as a gun, a camera, or a light on a person or thing, you aim it at them and keep it towards them.
She trained her binoculars on the horizon. [VERB noun + on]
Police cameras had been specifically trained on that area. [VERB noun on noun]
Synonyms: aim, point, level, position   More Synonyms of train
6. verb
If you train a tree, bush, or plant in a particular direction, you tie it and cut it so that it grows in that direction.
Instead of training the shoots up the fence, lay them flat in both directions alongside it. [VERB noun preposition]
You could even put a trellis on your walls and train plants to grow up it. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
7.  See also training
Phrasal verbs:
train up
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of 'train'

Word Frequency

train in British

(treɪn )
verb
1. (transitive)
to guide or teach (to do something), as by subjecting to various exercises or experiences
to train a man to fight
2. (transitive)
to control or guide towards a specific goal
to train a plant up a wall
3. (intransitive)
to do exercises and prepare for a specific purpose
the athlete trained for the Olympics
4. (transitive)
to improve or curb by subjecting to discipline
to train the mind
5. (transitive)
to focus or bring to bear (on something)
to train a telescope on the moon
noun
6. 
a. 
a line of coaches or wagons coupled together and drawn by a railway locomotive
b. 
(as modifier)
a train ferry
7. 
a sequence or series, as of events, thoughts, etc
a train of disasters
8. 
a procession of people, vehicles, etc, travelling together, such as one carrying supplies of ammunition or equipment in support of a military operation
9. 
a series of interacting parts through which motion is transmitted
a train of gears
10. 
a fuse or line of gunpowder to an explosive charge, etc
11. 
something drawn along, such as the long back section of a dress that trails along the floor behind the wearer
12. 
a retinue or suite
13. 
proper order or course
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
trainable (ˈtrainable)
  adjective
trainless (ˈtrainless)
  adjective
Word origin of 'train'
C14: from Old French trahiner, from Vulgar Latin tragīnāre (unattested) to draw; related to Latin trahere to drag
Word Frequency

train in American

(treɪn ; trān)
noun
1. 
something that hangs down and drags behind
; specif.,
a. 
a part of a dress, skirt, etc. that trails
b. 
the tail feathers of a bird
the train of a peacock
c. 
a stream of something trailing behind
2. 
a group of persons following as attendants in a procession; retinue; suite
3. 
a group of persons, animals, vehicles, etc. that follow one another in a line; procession; caravan; cortege
4. 
the persons, vehicles, etc. carrying supplies, ammunition, food, etc. for combat troops
5. 
a series of events or conditions that follow some happening; aftermath
a war bringing famine and disease in its train
6. 
any connected order or arrangement; series; sequence
a train of thought
7. 
a line of gunpowder, etc. that serves as a fuse for an explosive charge
8. 
a series of connected mechanical parts for transmitting motion
a train of gears
9. 
a line of connected railroad cars pulled or pushed by a locomotive or locomotives
verb transitive
10.  Rare
to trail or drag
11. 
to guide the growth of (a plant), as by tying, pruning, etc.
12. 
to subject to certain action, exercises, etc. in order to bring to a desired condition
a surgeon's hand trained to be steady
13. 
to guide or control the mental, moral, etc. development of; bring up; rear
14. 
to instruct so as to make proficient or qualified
to train nurses at a hospital
15. 
to discipline or condition (animals) to perform tricks or obey commands
16. 
to prepare or make fit for an athletic contest, etc. as by exercise, diet, etc.
17. 
to aim (a gun, binoculars, etc.) at something; bring to bear
usually with on
18.  Informal
to condition (a child, puppy, etc.) to defecate and urinate in the required place
verb intransitive
19. 
to administer or undergo training
SIMILAR WORDS:  teach
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
trainable (ˈtrainable)
  adjective
Word origin of 'train'
ME traine < OFr trahin < trahiner, to draw on < VL *traginare < L trahere, to pull, draw

Example sentences containing 'train'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
She helped to train police forces and became a counsellor of victims. Times, Sunday Times (2017)And what you realise is how much these trains mean to people. The Sun (2016)The main focus is likely to centre around bringing track and train operations together. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Pursuit drivers are usually trained to back off if lives are in danger. The Sun (2016)The players have trained harder and longer and they got their rewards. The Sun (2016)There appears to be only one train a day and it leaves quite early? Times, Sunday Times (2016)Train drivers are also refusing to do overtime. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Changes may include firms training self-employed staff, holiday pay for freelancers and more flexible working hours. The Sun (2016)Fast trains to the City? Times, Sunday Times (2016)The bit that's a lie is that I read a book on the train on the way to work the other day. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Train firms cancelling cheap tickets are set to add to road jams. The Sun (2008)See moment train careered off line. The Sun (2013)These young people have also helped train their peers in these tech positions. Christianity Today (2000)We need to train young people in all aspects of the business. The Sun (2012)We train together so there is a huge camaraderie. The Sun (2012)Trains were also affected by soaring temperatures that led to tracks buckling and speed restrictions being introduced. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Could be time to get back on that train after all. Times, Sunday Times (2007)There are no guarantees but you can train racehorses longer than you can be a jockey. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Trains are already one of the most environmentally friendly transport systems. Times, Sunday Times (2007)There are two very different trains of thought. The Sun (2009)They have been training for this race for so long. Times, Sunday Times (2013)This is something you cannot train for. Richard Holmes Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War (2006)This inquiry is becoming a gravy train for lawyers. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The sighting to trains in either direction is very poor and the risk of disaster is real. Times, Sunday Times (2011)We tagged along to train with him. The Sun (2012)There is also training to improve social skills. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Can you suggest a way to book the train tickets? Times, Sunday Times (2007)Forget baggage handlers and train drivers. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Can City gravy train get back on track? Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Word Lists

astronomy, Parts of clothing, Industrial oils, vehicle

Trends of 'train'

Very Common. train is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'train'

British English: train /treɪn/ NOUN
A train is a long vehicle that is pulled by an engine along a railway line.
  • American English: train
  • Arabic: قِطَار
  • Brazilian Portuguese: trem
  • Chinese: 火车
  • Croatian: vlak
  • Czech: vlak
  • Danish: tog
  • Dutch: trein
  • European Spanish: tren
  • Finnish: juna
  • French: train
  • German: Zug
  • Greek: τρένο
  • Italian: treno
  • Japanese: 列車
  • Korean: 열차
  • Norwegian: tog
  • Polish: pociąg transport
  • European Portuguese: comboio
  • Romanian: tren
  • Russian: поезд
  • Spanish: tren
  • Swedish: tåg färdmedel
  • Thai: รถไฟ
  • Turkish: tren
  • Ukrainian: потяг
  • Vietnamese: tàu hỏa
British English: train /treɪn/ VERB
If you train to do something, you learn the skills that you need in order to do it.
He was training to be a pilot.
  • American English: train
  • Arabic: يُدرِّب
  • Brazilian Portuguese: treinar
  • Chinese: 训练
  • Croatian: obučavati
  • Czech: vyučit se
  • Danish: træne
  • Dutch: trainen
  • European Spanish: entrenar
  • Finnish: kouluttaa
  • French: former
  • German: ausbilden
  • Greek: προπονώ
  • Italian: addestrare
  • Japanese: 訓練する
  • Korean: (...을) 훈련시키다
  • Norwegian: lære opp
  • Polish: wyszkolić
  • European Portuguese: treinar
  • Romanian: a exersa
  • Russian: тренировать
  • Spanish: entrenar
  • Swedish: utbilda
  • Thai: อบรม
  • Turkish: eğitmek
  • Ukrainian: тренуватися
  • Vietnamese: huấn luyện

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Nearby words of 'train'

  • trailing vortex drag
  • trailingly
  • trailside
  • train
  • train attendant
  • train crash
  • train ferry

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'T'

Related Terms of 'train'

  • cat-train
  • dog train
  • in train
  • sky train
  • toy train

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of train from the Collins English Dictionary

The vocative

The imperative is often used with a vocative. This is where you mention a person’s name or some other way of identifying the person to whom a command or request is being addressed. David , come here...
Read more about 'The vocative'
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Scrabble score for 'train': 5
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