Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

third rail

 - 3 dictionary results
JCPenney-3rd Rail Apparel
Save On 3rd Rail T-Shirts, Hoodies, Shorts & More At JCPenney Today
JCPenney.com

third rail

 
Use third rail in a Sentence
–noun Railroads.
1. a rail laid parallel and adjacent to the running rails of an electrified railroad to provide electric current to the motors of a car or locomotive through contact shoes.
2. an additional running rail laid on the same ties as the two regular rails of a railroad track to provide a multigauge capability.
Origin:
1865–70, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To third rail
JCPenney-3rd Rail Apparel
Save On 3rd Rail T-Shirts, Hoodies, Shorts & More At JCPenney Today
JCPenney.com
third rail  
n.  

  1. The rail that supplies the high voltage to power a train on an electric railway.

  2. A subject that tends to be avoided because of its offensive or controversial nature: "Social Security, the 'third rail' of American politics" (Charles Stein).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

third rail

Something that is dangerous to tamper with, as in Anything concerning veterans is a political third rail. This term alludes to the rail that supplies the high voltage powering an electric train, so called since 1918. On the other hand, grab hold of the third rail means "become energized." Both shifts from the original meaning date from the late 1900s.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see third rail on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way