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
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
By installing its own nominees, Paramount hopes to broaden the range of options under consideration, including its own $30-per-share bid to acquire all of WBD – studios, streaming and linear cable assets.
—
Corey Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Disney didn’t offer insight into how much of The Rookie‘s viewership came from linear versus streaming, but since streaming has altered many consumers’ viewing habits, the time slot change is not likely to have a drastic impact.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
A number of services place content on both their linear channels and streaming services at the same time.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
San Jose’s second-rounder this year will probably be in the middle of the pack, and if the Sharks somehow regress next year (which can always happen because progress isn’t linear for young teams), then their 2027 second-round pick could end up being relatively high too.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linear
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Corey Martin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Disney didn’t offer insight into how much of The Rookie‘s viewership came from linear versus streaming, but since streaming has altered many consumers’ viewing habits, the time slot change is not likely to have a drastic impact.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
A number of services place content on both their linear channels and streaming services at the same time.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
San Jose’s second-rounder this year will probably be in the middle of the pack, and if the Sharks somehow regress next year (which can always happen because progress isn’t linear for young teams), then their 2027 second-round pick could end up being relatively high too.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for linear
Cite this Entry
“Linear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linear. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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