flatline

verb

flat·​line ˈflat-ˌlīn How to pronounce flatline (audio)
flatlined; flatlining; flatlines

intransitive verb

1
a
: to register on an electronic monitor as having no brain waves or heartbeat
b
: die
2
a
: to be in a state of no progress or advancement
b
: to come to an end
flatliner noun

Examples of flatline in a Sentence

the patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline before the night was over
Recent Examples on the Web Growth had flatlined at the startup, which made its money by taking a small cut when a project on its platform met a funding threshold, and its onetime feel-good culture had become toxic in the wake of a bitter unionization drive. Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 But the country has sometimes been held back by an approach that sees film predominantly as a tool to support the tourism industry, a flatlining local box office and clumsy censorship. Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Even during the pandemic edtech surge, Byju’s revenue had essentially flatlined at $277 million in 2021, a fraction of the $1.2 billion Raveendran had predicted for that year. Pallavi Pundir, Fortune Asia, 1 Mar. 2024 Since then, annual net sales have flatlined at $5.4 billion while annual net income declined about 75% over the three years to $214 million last year, according to FactSet. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024 The producer-price index rose 0.3% in July after flatlining the prior month. Eric Wallerstein, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2023 But even at a rate of 1 million new arrivals a year, U.S. population growth would flatline in about 40 years and then slowly begin to decline, the census says. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2024 Whelan flatlined, and Reyes had to break the news to Jet and the rest of the team. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2024 Enrollment levels in the last three years have generally flatlined. Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flatline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flatline was in 1980

Dictionary Entries Near flatline

Cite this Entry

“Flatline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatline. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

flatline

intransitive verb
flat·​line ˈflat-ˌlīn How to pronounce flatline (audio)
flatlined; flatlining
1
: to register on an electronic monitor as having no heartbeat or brain waves : to experience cessation of heart contractions or brain wave activity as indicated by a flat line on a electrocardiogram or electroencephalogram
I flatlined on the operating table, but Dr. Bunsom managed to revive me.Alison Wright, Yoga Journal
He used to be ill quite a bit as a younger child, and his heart flatlined four times before he was 6.Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World
2
: die entry 1
But just because death is expected doesn't mean it's any less depressing when the patient finally flatlines.Phil Taylor, Sports Illustrated
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