a trace or mark left by somebody or something that has passed; a scent or track

a trail of blood

on the trail of the killer

a track made by the passage of people or animals, esp through a wilderness

a marked path through a forest or mountainous region

a route followed or to be followed for a particular purpose

a campaign trail

something that follows or moves along as if being drawn behind; a train

a trail of admirers

the streak of light produced by a meteor

a continuous line produced photographically by permitting the image of a celestial body, e.g. a star, to move over the plate

a chain of consequences; an aftermath

She left a trail of broken hearts behind her

to hang down so as to sweep the ground

to extend over a surface in a loose or straggling manner

said of a plant, branch, etc: to grow to such a length as to droop over towards the ground

to drag (something) loosely along a surface

to carry or bring along as an addition, burden, or encumbrance

to draw (something) along in one's wake

(usu + along) to walk or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily; to plod or trudge

to lag behind; to do poorly in relation to others

to drag (something) loosely along a surface; to allow (something) to sweep the ground

to drag (e.g. a limb or the body) heavily or wearily

to carry or bring (something) along as an addition, burden, or encumbrance

to draw (something) along in one's wake

trailing clouds of glory do we come — Wordsworth

to follow the scent or trace of (e.g. an animal)

to follow behind or in the footsteps of (somebody)

to lag behind (e.g. a competitor)