A rack and pinion is a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. The circular pinion engages teeth on a flat bar - the rack. Rotational motion applied to the pinion will cause the rack to move to the side, up to the limit of its travel.
The rack and pinion arrangement is commonly found in the steering mechanisms of cars or other wheeled, steered vehicles.
For rack and pinion railways see Cog railway