Etymology Map
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Rail

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a bar forming part of a fence; a railway track

Where does the word "rail" come from? It comes from Latin regula, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
regula
Latin · ancient
"straight stick, rule"
the root of 'rule' and 'regular'
2
Stage 2 of 3
reille
Old French · medieval
"bar, bolt"
a straight bar of wood or metal
3
Stage 3 of 3
rail
English · 1300s
"bar, fence"
railways date from the 1820s
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Read the full story

Rail’s story begins in Latin: regula meant “straight stick, rule.” The root of 'rule' and 'regular'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as reille. A straight bar of wood or metal. It reached English by 1300s as rail. Railways date from the 1820s. Today, rail means a bar forming part of a fence; a railway track.