Definition

A long piece of wood or metal that is placed at the head or foot of a bed to prevent someone from falling out.

Example

The bedrail kept the child safe while sleeping.

Conversation

I just bought a new bed and it has a sturdy bedrail.

That sounds great! Is it for safety or just decoration?

It's mainly for safety, especially since I tend to roll around at night.

Good idea! A bedrail can really help prevent falls.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bedrail → It is formed from "bed" (from Old English *bed*, meaning a place for sleeping) and "rail" (from Old French *raille*, meaning a bar or rod). The word "bedrail" refers to a bar or rod that is associated with a bed, typically used for safety or support.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bed' as a place for sleeping and a 'rail' as a bar for support — a bedrail is a support bar for a bed.

Visually Confused Words