Word of the Day 21 August 2026

grab iron

A metal bar attached to the side of locomotives and railroad cars for use as a handhold.

Why this one

The handhold on the side of a rail car. A plain descriptive name that outlived every attempt to give it a catalogue term.

In use

Car's bad order till that's fixed, the bottom grab iron on the B end is bent out and one bolt's missing.

Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.

Sources