night rail

noun

ˈnīt-ˌrāl How to pronounce night rail (audio)
archaic
: nightgown

Examples of night rail in a Sentence

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.
Right now, travelers can save up to $500 per couple on 10- to 15-night rail vacations, turning iconic train journeys into even more irresistible getaways. —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

night entry 1 + rail "loose outer garment worn by women, scarf, shawl," going back to Middle English reyel, reil "garment," going back to Old English hrægl, hregl "cloak, garment," going back to Germanic *hregil-, *hregul- (whence also Old Frisian hreil "garment," Old High German hregil "garment, armor"), probably from an accentual variant of *hrehula- "device for holding or separating yarn" — more at reel entry 1

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of night rail was in 1552

Rhymes for night rail

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Browse Nearby Words

night piece
night rail
night raven
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Cite this Entry

“Night rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20rail. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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