lane

1 of 2

noun

ˈlān 

1

: a narrow passageway between fences or hedges

2

: a relatively narrow way or track: such as

a

: an ocean route used by or prescribed for ships

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: air lane

d

: any of several parallel courses on a track or swimming pool in which a competitor must stay during a race

e

: an unmarked lengthwise division of a playing area which defines the playing zone of a particular player

f

: a narrow hardwood surface having pins at one end and a gutter along each side that is used in bowling

g

: free throw lane

lane

2 of 2

Scottish variant of lone

Examples of lane in a Sentence

Noun

The truck's driver kept changing lanes.

She moved to the outside lane.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As seen from Planet 2, Planet 1 will appear to approach on the inside lane, slow down, move to the outside lane and then fall away once again. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026

The return of Jayden Daniels helps open lanes, but game script could be a problem Monday night with Washington more than a touchdown underdog. — Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

On Thursday night, the first closures will be the middle two lanes of the bridge on the Homestead end of the bridge, and that means drivers will have to use the outside lanes - again, one in each direction. — John Shumway, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Drewry’s World Container Index, which covers eight major trade lanes, currently sits at $4,485 per 40-foot container as of Thursday. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English lanu; akin to Middle Dutch lane lane

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lane

• air lane
• breakdown lane
• carpool lane
• express lane
• fast lane
• free throw lane
• HOV lane
• memory lane
• passing lane
• sea-lane
• slow lane

Rhymes for lane

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

lane

noun

ˈlān

1

: a narrow way or road usually between fences, hedges, or buildings

2

: a somewhat narrow way or track: as

a

: an ocean route for ships

also : air lane

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: a bowling alley

Biographical Definition

Lane

biographical name

ˈlān 

Edward William 1801–1876 English orientalist