noun
platform, track
A1
'Gleis' means 'track' or 'platform' in railway contexts — the place where a train arrives (Gleis 5). It's neuter (das Gleis) with plural Gleise and genitive des Gleises. Use prepositions like auf (auf Gleis 5) or an/auf dem Gleis. Distinguish Gleis from Bahnsteig.
Examples
Der Zug fährt von Gleis 5 ab.
The train departs from platform 5.
Der Zug fährt von Gleis 7 ab.
The train departs from platform 7.
Die Reisenden warteten am Gleis 4, bis der Zug endlich einfuhr.
The travelers waited on platform 4 until the train finally pulled in.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine a numbered platform with trains
gleis ~ 'place' — think of the place where trains stop
Notes
Common word at stations; 'Gleis' refers to the track/platform area (German trains).