align

verb

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\ ə-ˈlīn

variants: or less commonly aline

aligned also alined; aligning also alining; aligns also alines

Definition of align

transitive verb

1 : to bring into line or alignment aligned the books on the shelf

2 : to array on the side of or against a party or cause He aligned himself with the protesters.

intransitive verb

1 : to get or fall into line He aligned with his friends against a common enemy.

2 : to be in or come into precise adjustment or correct relative position Negative ends of molecules align with positive ends of other molecules.

Other Words from align More Example Sentences Learn More about align

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Examples of align in a Sentence

He aligned the two holes so he could put the screw through them. The two parts of the machine are not properly aligned. The text aligns with the bottom of the picture. The schools had to align their programs with state requirements. She is aligning with other senators to oppose his nomination.

Recent Examples on the Web Just last week, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed into law a bill that will ban trans women and girls from competing on sports teams that align with their gender, NBC News reported. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "This Arkansas Bill Would Ban Gender-Affirming Health Care for Trans Youth," 30 Mar. 2021 At the state level, there is a checkerboard of gun laws that align with the partisan tilt of each state. — New York Times, "An Immigrant Family Caught Up in a Distinctly American Tragedy," 27 Mar. 2021 As millennials and Gen Z are spending more of their money on brands that align with their values, such as sustainability, businesses should maintain those values within their core operations. — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, "Eight Steps Companies Can Take To Be More Eco-Friendly," 26 Mar. 2021 Proponents see laws like Utah’s as an incremental step toward more reforms and concessions that might align animal agriculture with environmental and ethical demands. — Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, "Banning Chicken Cages Won’t Make Eggs Humane," 23 Mar. 2021 Female leaders, such as Power and Settle, and those at PWP Forward Acquisition Corp, that pursue goals that align with their personal values and advance the common good are seen as authentic and trustworthy, according to the Harvard Business Review. — Jane Hanson, Forbes, "SPACs May Be Wall Street’s Version Of Title IX - Here’s Why," 20 Mar. 2021 In early March, Avon rolled out the brand’s most important launch of the year, and one that will align with the brand’s intention to appeal to a more eco-conscious shopper. — Kavita Daswani, Los Angeles Times, "So long, ‘Avon lady.’ Hello to an L.A. beauty studio aimed at millennials and Gen Z," 18 Mar. 2021 Brad Little, in March, signed a measure that effectively barred transgender athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Transgender athletes in women's sports: 70 bills across 26 states designed to protect female participants," 13 Mar. 2021 Lacking the lure of hot coffee, a warm cheeseburger or a lukewarm sleeping pad, four-time champion Dallas Seavey of Talkeetna anticipates rest stops that align more with his team’s tempo than his desire for human creature comforts. — Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, "An Iditarod like no other? Some mushers aren’t too concerned about adapting to this year’s changes," 7 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'align.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.