1 a [+ obj] : to teach (someone) the skills needed to do something (such as a job) : to give instruction to (someone)
▪ He was never formally trained as a chef. ▪ I've been trained in first aid. ▪ I'm training her to take over my job when I retire. ▪ My boss is training me on the new equipment. ▪ We need to train more nurses. ▪ They are highly trained professionals.
b [no obj] : to be taught the skills needed to do something (such as a job)
▪ I'm training to be/become a nurse. ▪ I trained at that hospital. ▪ He's training as a chef. 2 [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to develop an ability or skill
▪ She had to train her mind to think scientifically. ▪ You can train yourself to relax. ▪ A trained [=practiced] eye can detect the slightest imperfection. ▪ Only a trained ear could hear the difference. 3 a [no obj] : to try to make yourself stronger, faster, or better at doing something before competing in an event or competition
▪ The team trains five hours a day. ▪ He is training for the Olympics.
b [+ obj] : to help (someone) to prepare for an event or competition : to coach (an athlete)
▪ He trained several generations of track-and-field athletes. 4 [+ obj] : to teach (an animal) to obey commands
▪ She trained her dog to sit. ▪ The police use trained dogs to sniff out drugs. ▪ The dog was never properly trained. [=taught to obey] — see also house-train 5 [+ obj] : to make (a plant) grow in a particular direction usually by bending, cutting, or tying it
▪ You can train this vine to climb up a wall. 6 [+ obj] : to aim or point (something) toward something or in a particular direction
▪ He trained the flashlight into the hole. ▪ We trained our eyes on the horizon. [=we looked toward the horizon]