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

Rodrigues explained YouTube Brasil currently has other linear channels, such as SBT, one of the top three free-to-air networks in the country, and DiaTV, an indie channel of Dia Estúdio that aggregates entertainment shows hosted by Brazilian creators. —Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 22 May 2026

There are entire, enormous platforms whose contours are unknown to the average person under 40, just as there are millions of teens and 20-somethings who watch more video on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram than on linear or even streaming TV. —Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026

Many of the most damaging leadership breakdowns do not come from a lack of intelligence or effort, but from narrow framing, linear thinking, and an inability to grasp how organizational outcomes are shaped over time. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Weight loss is often not linear, and plateaus are expected. —Kim Pfotenhauer, The Conversation, 22 May 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