train
train
/treɪn/
1 a number of connected coaches or trucks, pulled by an engine or powered by a motor in each one, taking people and goods from one place to another
to get on/off a train
by train I like travelling by train.
a passenger/commuter train
an express/a steam/a bullet train
to catch/take/get the train to London
He boarded the train in Kansas City.
a train journey/driver/operator
Basel's main train station
He boarded the train in Kansas City.
You have to change trains at Reading.
There are regular train services to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The train is running late/on time.
I was on a platform waiting for a train.
SEE ALSO boat train, bullet train, freight train, ghost train, goods train, gravy train, road train, stopping train, wagon train
I can't stop now, I have a train to catch.
I got the through train to Manchester.
I was late and had to run for my train.
I'm going to the station to meet her off the train.
The company plans to run trains on key intercity routes.
The high-speed train travels at 120 mph.
The last train leaves at 00.30.
The next train to arrive at Platform 2 is the 12.30 from Leeds.
The train now standing at Platform 3 is the 16.50 to Brighton.
The train terminated in Baltimore.
We had to get up early to make the 6 o'clock train for Florence.
What are the times of the return trains?
an express train bound for Edinburgh
the Paris to Brussels train
trains between Cape Town and Pretoria
train loads of iron ore
Collocations
adjective
railroadrailwaymetro…
verb + train
taketravel byride…
train + verb
runstartterminate…
train + noun
journeyridetrip…
preposition
aboard a/the trainon a/the trainon board a/the train…
phrases
a train to catch
2 a number of people or animals moving in a line
a camel train
Collocations
adjective
camelmulewagon…
His death set in motion a train of events that led to the outbreak of war.
Collocations
verb + train
set something inbring something inbreak…
phrases
a train of eventsa train of thought
preposition
in somebody’s train
4 the part of a long formal dress that spreads out on the floor behind the person wearing it
Idioms
(formal) to have something as a result
Unemployment brings great difficulties in its train.
(formal) following behind somebody
In the train of the rich and famous came the journalists.
(formal) to prepare or start something
That telephone call set in train a whole series of events.
train
/treɪn/
1 transitive, intransitive to teach a person or an animal the skills for a particular job or activity; to be taught in this way train somebody/something highly trained professionals
badly trained staff
Specially trained coaches will provide support at no extra charge.
He is well trained to complete any mission that he is given.
train somebody/something to do something They train dogs to sniff out drugs.
The crew are well trained to deal with emergencies.
We trained our sales force to be sensitive to the needs of customers.
train somebody as/in/for something The students are being trained for careers in big business.
train as/in/for something He trained as a teacher before becoming an actor.
All members of the team have trained in first aid.
train to do/be something Sue is training to be a doctor.
SEE ALSO potty-train, toilet-train
2 intransitive, transitive to prepare yourself for a particular activity, especially a sport, by doing a lot of exercise; to prepare a person or an animal in this way I train in the gym for two hours a day.
She was unable to train with the squad.
train for something athletes training for the Olympics
train somebody/something She trains horses.
He trains the Olympic team.
train somebody/something for something The athletes will be trained for all events.
The team is training hard for the big match.
He's been training seriously for over a year now.
Collocations Dictionary
adverb
hardintenselyseriously…
preposition
for
3 transitive to develop a natural ability or quality so that it improves train something An expert with a trained eye will spot the difference immediately.
train something to do something You can train your mind to think positively.
4 transitive train something (around/along/up, etc.) to make a plant grow in a particular direction Roses had been trained around the door.
5 transitive train something at/on somebody/something to aim a gun, camera, light, etc. at somebody/something He carefully trained his gun on the suspect.
Word Origin
Middle English (as a noun in the sense ‘delay’): from Old French train (masculine), traine (feminine), from trahiner (verb), from Latin trahere ‘pull, draw’. Early noun senses were ‘trailing part of a robe’ and ‘retinue’; the latter gave rise to ‘line of travelling people or vehicles’, later ‘a connected series of things’. The early verb sense ‘cause a plant to grow in a desired shape’ was the basis of the sense ‘instruct’.