linear

adjective

lin·​e·​ar ˈli-nē-ər 

1

a(1)

: of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line : straight

(2)

: involving a single dimension

b(1)

: of the first degree with respect to one or more variables

(2)

: of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra

c(1)

: characterized by an emphasis on line

linear art

(2)

: composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation

linear script

d

: consisting of a straight chain of atoms

a linear molecule

2

: elongated with nearly parallel sides

linear leaf

see leaf illustration

3

: having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input

4

: of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development

linear thinking

a linear narrative

linearity

ˌli-nē-ˈer-ə-tē 

-ˈa-rə-

noun

linearly

ˈli-nē-ər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of linear

• direct
• straight
• straightforward

Examples of linear in a Sentence

a flat, almost linear horizon

the bullets from early firearms were notorious for not following a strictly linear path through the air

Recent Examples on the Web

The senior note holders will own 99 percent of the new parent company’s shares after completion of the capital restructuring, brought on by a continuing decline in linear TV advertising in Canada and hefty company borrowings. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026

The news was unveiled by Cannes’ media partners, French broadcaster France Televisions and digital outlet Brut which will be delivering expanding coverage of the festival across linear and online platforms during the next edition, set to run May 12-23. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

Longer lifespans, less linear careers, a rising cost of living, and tighter government budgets are redefining what retirement security even means. —Chris Mahoney, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026

The fact of the matter is that Rocker’s development has not been linear. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing linear

• linear accelerator
• linear algebra
• linear combination
• linear dependence
• linear equation
• linear function
• linear independence
• linear interpolation
• linear measure
• linear motor
• linear perspective
• linear programming
• linear regression
• linear space
• linear transformation

Kids Definition

linear

adjective

lin·​ear

ˈlin-ē-ər

1

a

: relating to, consisting of, or resembling a line : straight

b

: involving a single dimension

c

: of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations or linear functions

2

: long and uniformly narrow

the linear leaf of the hyacinth

linearity

ˌlin-ē-ˈar-ət-ē

noun

linearly

ˈlin-ē-ər-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

linear

adjective

lin·​ear ˈlin-ē-ər 

: of, relating to, or resembling a line

linearity

ˌlin-ē-ˈar-ət-ē 

noun

plural linearities

linearly

ˈlin-ē-ər-lē 

adverb