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

After the initial collision, police said that the Kia then veered into another lane, where it was struck by a 2022 Dodge Ram 5500 pulling a trailer that was being driven by a 50-year-old Los Angeles man. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026

The tour cancellation is just the latest issue for the controversial toll lane project. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

Becchina said a white Ford SUV was traveling north in the middle lane on Blue Ridge Cutoff when a man near a bus stop walked into the road. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026

Lightning is diminishing over shipping lanes as a result of the use of cleaner fuel. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 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
• express lane
• fast lane
• free throw 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