Definition of “train” - English Dictionary

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“train” in English

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trainnoun

uk ​ /treɪn/ us ​ /treɪn/

train noun (PART OF DRESS)

› [ C ] the part of a long dress that spreads out onto the floor behind the person wearing it:

an elaborate wedding dress with a long train

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Idiom(s)

put/set sth in train

trainverb

uk ​ /treɪn/ us ​ /treɪn/

train verb (PREPARE)

B1 [ I or T ] to prepare someone or yourself for a job, activity, or sport, by learning skills and/or by mental or physical exercise:

She trained as a pilot.
[ + to infinitive ] John trained to be an accountant.
[ + to infinitive ] I had to train myself to be more assertive at work.
She trained hard for the race, sometimes running as much as 60 miles a week.
humorous I'm trying to train my kids to pick up after themselves.

More examples

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train verb (AIM)

› [ T usually + adv/prep ] formal to aim or point a gun, camera, light, etc. at someone or something:

With five guns suddenly trained on him, he was understandably nervous.

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train verb (DIRECT GROWTH)

› [ T ] to direct the growth of a plant in a particular direction by cutting it and tying it:

The vines were trained over an arch, providing shade as well as fruit.

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(Definition of “train” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“train” in American English

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trainnoun [ C ]

us ​ /treɪn/

train noun [ C ] (VEHICLE)

› a railroad engine and the connected, wheeled containers it pulls along the tracks in carrying goods or people:

a freight/passenger train
a commuter train

train noun [ C ] (SERIES)

› a line of animals, people, or things moving along together, or a series of connected thoughts or events:

a mule/wagon train
Now I’ve lost my train of thought and forgot what I was going to say.

train noun [ C ] (PART OF DRESS)

› the part of a long dress that spreads out onto the floor behind

trainverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /treɪn/

train verb [ I/T ] (PREPARE)

› to prepare someone or be prepared for a job, activity, or sport by learning skills or by mental or physical exercise:

[ I ] She trained as a pilot.
[ T ] He trains teachers to use new technology.
[ I ] She trained hard for the race, sometimes running as much as 60 miles a week.

(Definition of “train” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“train” in Business English

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trainverb

uk ​ /treɪn/ us ​ HR

› [ T ] to teach someone the skills and knowledge needed for a particular job or activity:

Younger recruits are considered easier to train.
It takes at least six years to train a doctor.
train sb to be/do sth We trained them to be computer specialists.

› [ I ] to learn the skills and knowledge needed for a particular job or activity:

train as sth He trained as an accountant.
train for sth Rebecca is training for her commercial truck driving certificate.
train to be/do sth They were training to be pilots.

trainnoun [ C ]

uk ​ /treɪn/ us ​

› a railway engine connected to a group of vehicles for carrying people or goods:

catch/take a train He usually wakes up before dawn to catch a train just after 5 a.m.
London is two and a half hours away by train.
a commuter/freight/passenger train
a train company/operator/service

See also

goods train
gravy train

(Definition of “train” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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