I. train 1 S1 W2 /treɪn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: 'something that is pulled along behind' , from trainer ; ⇨ ↑ train 2 ]
1 . RAILWAY a set of several carriages that are connected to each other and pulled along a railway line by an engine
train to
the train to Munich
We went all the way to Inverness by train.
⇨ ↑ boat train
2 . SERIES a train of something a series of events or actions that are related:
The decision set off a train of events which led to his resignation.
3 . train of thought a related series of thoughts that are developing in your mind:
The phone interrupted my train of thought.
I’ve lost my train of thought.
4 . bring something in its train formal if an action or event brings something in its train, that thing happens as a result of it:
a decision that brought disaster in its train
5 . set something in train British English formal to make a process start happening:
Plans to modernize have been set in train.
6 . PEOPLE/ANIMALS a long line of moving people, animals, or vehicles:
a camel train
7 . DRESS a part of a long dress that spreads out over the ground behind the person wearing it:
a wedding dress with a long train
8 . SERVANTS a group of servants or officers following an important person, especially in the past
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ take/get a train
I took the first train home.
▪ catch a train
He was in a hurry to catch a train.
▪ go by/travel by train
We decided to go by train.
▪ get on/board a train
At Stoke, another passenger boarded the train.
▪ get off a train
He got off the train at Flushing.
▪ wait for a train
She sat on the railway platform for half an hour, waiting for a train.
▪ miss a train (=be too late to get on a train)
I just missed the last train.
▪ trains run (=take people from one place to another at fixed times)
Trains run from two main London stations, Victoria and Charing Cross, every hour.
▪ a train arrives
The train arrived on time.
▪ a train leaves/departs
Trains depart from Rugby at half-hourly intervals until 4.00 pm.
▪ a train pulls into/out of a station
The train pulled into Euston station and I got off.
▪ a train derails/is derailed (=comes off the rails)
Most of the passengers escaped injury when their train was derailed.
■ adjectives/NOUN + train
▪ a freight/goods train
a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals
▪ a passenger train
a passenger train bound for Geneva
▪ a commuter train (=a train that people going to work use)
a crash involving two crowded commuter trains
▪ an express train/a fast train (=one that does not stop at many places)
He boarded the express train to London.
▪ a slow train ( also a stopping train British English ) (=one that stops at a lot of places)
We got on the stopping train by mistake and it took hours to get home.
▪ a steam train
Railway enthusiasts have the opportunity to take a nostalgic trip on a steam train.
▪ a tube/underground train (=one that runs under London)
The condition of many tube trains is a disgrace.
■ train + NOUN
▪ a train journey British English , a train trip American English
They were not looking forward to the long train journey.
▪ a train fare
How much is the train fare to Derby?
▪ a train driver
The train driver apologized for the late departure.
▪ a train crash ( also a train wreck American English )
Ten people were killed in the train crash.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say ' go by the train ' or ' travel by the train '. Say go by train or travel by train .
II. train 2 S1 W2 BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ trainee , ↑ trainer , ↑ training , ↑ retraining ; verb : ↑ train , ↑ retrain ; adjective : trained ≠ ↑ untrained ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: trainer 'to pull, drag' , from Vulgar Latin traginare , probably from Latin trahere 'to pull' ]
1 . TEACH SOMEBODY [intransitive and transitive] to teach someone the skills of a particular job or activity, or to be taught these skills ⇨ training
train somebody in something
All staff will be trained in customer service skills.
train to do something
She’s training to be a doctor.
train somebody to do something
Employees are trained to deal with emergency situations.
train as
Nadia trained as a singer.
a highly trained workforce
Trained staff will be available to deal with your queries.
2 . TEACH AN ANIMAL [transitive] to teach an animal to do something or to behave correctly:
a well-trained puppy
train something to do something
These dogs are trained to detect drugs.
3 . PREPARE FOR SPORT [intransitive and transitive] to prepare for a sports event or tell someone how to prepare for it, especially by exercising ⇨ training
train for
Brenda spends two hours a day training for the marathon.
4 . AIM SOMETHING [transitive] to aim something such as a gun or camera at someone or something
train something on/at somebody/something
She trained her binoculars on the bird.
5 . DEVELOP SOMETHING [transitive] to develop and improve a natural ability or quality:
You can train your mind to relax.
To the trained eye the difference between these flowers is obvious (=the difference is clear to someone who has developed skills to notice something) .
6 . PLANT [transitive] to make a plant grow in a particular direction by bending, cutting, or tying it