alignment

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noun align·ment \ ə-ˈlīn-mənt \

variants: or less commonly alinement

Definition of alignment

1 :the act of aligning or state of being aligned; especially :the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or electronic device) in relation to each other

2 a :a forming in line

b :the line thus formed

3 :the ground plan (as of a railroad or highway) in distinction from the profile

4 :an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another

new alignments within the political party

See alignment defined for English-language learners

See alignment defined for kids

Examples of alignment in a Sentence

The school has to bring its programs into alignment with state requirements.
New alignments have been created within the political party.

Recent Examples of alignment from the Web

According to Bevacqua, Huber used to chart out the astrological alignment of each batch of Miracle Broth.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "10 Conspiracy Theories About the World’s Most Infamous Skin Cream," 23 Aug. 2017
The deadly white supremacist rally against removal of the Lee statue served as a painful example of the uncomfortable alignment between some in the party's base and the far-right fringe.

— steve peoples and bill barrow, chicagotribune.com, "Racial politics haunt GOP in the Trump era," 15 Aug. 2017
At one point, Votto stepped into the batter’s box and faced an alignment of four outfielders.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "Scooter Gennett pitches in long, strange Reds loss," 15 Aug. 2017
For anyone who has ever glanced at the horoscope feature in newspapers, the charting and alignment of the stars serves as the key to offering a glimpse into one's birth destiny and personal characteristics and qualities.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Birthday honor includes some famous shared names," 11 Aug. 2017
But the possibility of enacting a substantial tax overhaul has brought the network and Trump in alignment.

— kimberly kindy, Washington Post, "On tax reform, wealthy conservative groups hope to avoid health debate’s mistakes. They may be repeating them.," 11 Aug. 2017
If such firms are no longer in the hands of those who make the profits, for example, that may weaken the alignment of interests that has driven much of the industry’s success.

— The Economist, "KKR, a private-equity giant, lays out its succession plan," 20 July 2017
Issa’s rationale is that all of the alignments divide communities, a problem that trumps traffic alleviation.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sheriff shops in slow motion for body cameras," 15 July 2017
The two countries have stepped up their strategic alignment, with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin issuing a joint declaration last week on a range of issues including North Korea, Afghanistan and Syria.

— keith zhai, Bloomberg.com, "Top India Diplomat Urges Defusing Border Tensions With China," 11 July 2017

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

First Known Use of alignment

1742

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

ALIGNMENT Defined for Kids

alignment

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noun align·ment \ ə-ˈlīn-mənt \

Definition of alignment for Students

:the state of being arranged in a line or in proper position

The machine was not working properly because its parts were out of alignment.

Learn More about alignment

See words that rhyme with alignment Spanish Central: Translation of alignment Nglish: Translation of alignment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alignment for Arabic speakers

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alignment

Definition of alignment

Examples of alignment in a Sentence

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First Known Use of alignment

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

ALIGNMENT Defined for Kids

alignment

Definition of alignment for Students

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