points
Points (noun) means the movable rails on a railway track used to switch a train from one line to another. Example: “The delay was caused by a fault with the points near the station.”
How to Use Points
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe plural of point — most often scoring units, or (in British English rail terminology) track-switching rails.
The railway-track sense ("points") is chiefly British English; Americans typically say "switch."
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The delay was caused by a fault with the _____ near the station.
Related Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “points” mean?
The word “points” means the movable rails on a railway track used to switch a train from one line to another. In plain terms, the plural of point — most often scoring units, or (in British English rail terminology) track-switching rails.
How do you pronounce “points”?
“Points” is pronounced poynts (/pɔɪnts/ in IPA).
How do you use “points” in a sentence?
Here is “points” used in a sentence: “The delay was caused by a fault with the points near the station.”
What part of speech is “points”?
“Points” is a noun.
Is “points” a common word?
“Points” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “points” have?
“Points” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the movable rails on a railway track used to switch a train from one line to another.
What is the difference between points and switches?
They are the same railway mechanism under two names. "Points" is the British term for the movable rails that guide a train from one track to another; "switches" is the American equivalent. Engineers may also call the whole assembly a "turnout." The choice of word mainly reflects regional usage rather than any real difference.
How do railway points work?
Points consist of tapered movable rails, called switch blades, that shift sideways against fixed rails. When set one way, they guide a train straight ahead; set the other, they divert it onto a branching line. Signal operators or automated systems move them to route trains safely between tracks.
What is an example of points in use?
At a junction where one line splits into two, points decide which route a train takes — for instance, sending an express straight through while diverting a local service onto a side platform. Every time a train changes tracks in a station throat or a siding, points have been set for it.