Railroad spike means: A type of large nail that fixes a railway line to a sleeper.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
railroad spike
(rail transport, US) A type of large nail that fixes a railway line to a sleeper.
Definitions
#1·Apr 27, 2026
(rail transport, US) A type of large nail that fixes a railway line to a sleeper.
For parents
Railroad spike means: A type of large nail that fixes a railway line to a sleeper.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
railroad spike means: A type of large nail that fixes a railway line to a sleeper.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Cluster: general
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Other words near "railroad spike" (R)
railroadrailroad carRailroad Cityrailroad crossingrailroadianarailroadingrailroad stationrailroad switchrailroad tierailroad trackrailroad tramprailroad truck
Browse all slang words starting with R.
Related terms
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Semantically related
- railway sleeper66%
(rail, chiefly, UK) A railroad tie.
- railroad tie64%
(rail transport, US) A heavy, preserved piece of hewn timber laid crossways to and supporting the rails of a railroad or a member of similar shape and function of another material such as concrete.
- railroad63%
(chiefly, US, Philippines) A permanent track consisting of fixed metal rails to drive trains or similar motorized vehicles on.
- railroad track62%
(US, rail) A pair of formed steel rails, separated and supported usually on wooden or concrete ties or sleepers, forming a track along which flange-wheeled railroad vehicles may travel.
- resleeper60%
(rail, transitive, UK) To replace the sleepers of (a track).