Spanish word

quitamiedos

Pronunciation

IPA/kitaˈmjeðos/

Meaning

  • masculine nounguardrail

Example

El quitamiedos protegió a los peatones en la carretera.

The guardrail protected pedestrians on the road.

Illustration for quitamiedos (guardrail)

More examples

Colisionó con el quitamiedos y el personal de emergencias llegó rápido.

He collided with the guardrail and emergency personnel arrived quickly.

Core concept

Roadside metal or concrete barrier that contains vehicles and reduces damage in a crash.

Common phrases

  • colisionar con quitamiedos

    collide with the guardrail

  • arreglar quitamiedos

    repair the guardrail

  • daños en quitamiedos

    damage to the guardrail

Similar words

guardarraíl: Metal rail or beam along a road edge that absorbs and redirects vehicle impacts.
barrera: Fence or obstruction placed to block or regulate passage on a road or at an entrance.
pretil: Low wall at the edge of a road or building that marks the boundary and prevents falls.
barandilla: Handrail or railing on stairs, balconies, or terraces that provides support and prevents falls.

Definition in Spanish

Elemento metálico o de hormigón colocado en el arcén para contener vehículos y reducir daños en caso de choque.

Word origin

From the compound of Spanish quitar ('to remove') and miedos ('fears'), the word originally names a 'fear-remover' and now refers to roadside protective barriers.

Usage tips

  • Regional synonyms include guardarraíl, barrera, and barandilla, and the word is written as one word and treated as singular (el quitamiedos) despite its -s ending.

Other meanings

  • safety barriernoun

Word lists with this word