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.
For starters, security is a major concern—cross-chain interactions add complexity and introduce new risks, and the guardrails to protect against them are still evolving. Wesley Crook, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 State Department of Transportation crews responded to repair the guardrail. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025 Or have the guardrails corroded so badly that anyone now faces the prospect of the President’s pen becoming a sword? Miles Taylor, Time, 3 June 2025 Wilde said the move from Sasse to Ono suggests UF may be seeking a leader with stronger academic credentials, but under tighter political guardrails. Garrett Shanley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 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 10 Jun. 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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