train

train1 [ treın ] noun count ***

1. ) a group of railroad cars that are connected and pulled by an engine:

a freight/passenger train

by train: We traveled across China by train.

train to: I met her on a train to New York.

board/get on a train: When will we board the train?

get off a train: We'll be waiting where you get off the train.

2. ) a series of events or thoughts:

a train of events/thoughts: Brett's phone call set in motion a disturbing train of events.

lose your train of thought (=forget what you are thinking): Give me a second, I just lost my train of thought.

3. ) a line of people, animals, or vehicles that move slowly together:

a camel train

4. ) a long part at the back of a dress, especially a wedding dress, that spreads out over the ground

set something in train BRITISH

to make something start to happen, especially something important or something that will affect a lot of people

train

train 2 [ treın ] verb ***

▸ 1 teach/learn

▸ 2 make mind/body do something

▸ 3 practice sport

▸ 4 teach animal to obey

▸ 5 point gun/camera/light

▸ 6 plant: grow one way

1. ) intransitive or transitive to teach someone to do a particular job or activity:

We need to recruit and train more police officers.

train to do something: I have an uncle who trained to be a pilot.

train someone to do something: They were training him to use the new filing system.

a ) intransitive to learn how to do a particular job or activity:

train as: He trained as a chef in Paris.

b ) intransitive to study something such as painting, dancing, or singing for a long period of time:

train in: Stephanie has trained in both dance and drama.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to make your mind or body do something:

You have to train yourself to stay calm.

3. ) intransitive to practice a sport regularly before a game or competition:

The wrestlers train five days a week.

train for: The ski team will move to Colorado in the fall to train for the World Championships.

a ) transitive to help someone to practice a sport regularly before a game or competition:

Ward has already trained four Olympic skaters.

4. ) transitive to teach an animal to obey you or perform TRICKS:

train something to do something: I want to train my dog to roll over.

5. ) transitive if you train a gun, camera, or light on someone or something, you point it at them

6. ) transitive to make a plant grow in a particular direction