guardrail

noun

guard·​rail ˈgärd-ˌrāl How to pronounce guardrail (audio)
: a railing guarding usually against danger
especially : a barrier placed along the edge of a highway at dangerous points

Examples of guardrail in a Sentence

the car ran off the road, but fortunately only hit the guardrail
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025 The bill also doesn't put any guardrails on Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Washington and Beijing must find a way to set clear, enforceable guardrails that prevent national security risks while allowing most trade and investment in the technology sector to continue unimpeded. Myron Brilliant, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025 This would allow some flexibility in marketing strategy, while maintaining the guardrails that have protected consumers for decades. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guardrail

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guardrail was in 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guardrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guardrail. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

guardrail

noun
guard·​rail ˈgär-ˌdrāl How to pronounce guardrail (audio)
: a protective railing placed along dangerous areas (as of a road)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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