align

verb

ə-ˈlīn 

variants or less commonly aline

aligned also alined; aligning also alining; aligns also alines

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.

aligner noun

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

Collaboration with the school district and community partners helps ensure that our goals are aligned and our impact is meaningful. —Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 19 Feb. 2026

This isn’t just wishful thinking or aligning myself with numerology’s prediction that 2026 will be a year of massive reset—a McKinsey & Company report on wellness in 2024 evaluated the industry at $480 billion in the US alone, growing 5% to 10% per year. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026

The notion that content should align with an author’s demographic identity is as chilling and stultifying as any other muzzling. —Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026

Plans for the development were approved by the City Council last year, which noted at the time that the County Square Commons aligns with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, said Cody Kennedy, a city spokesman. —Kendrick Calfee updated February 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French aligner, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + ligne line, from Latin linea

First Known Use

circa 1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing align

• align oneself with

Rhymes for align

• affine
• airline
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine
• carbine

Kids Definition

align

verb

variants also aline

ə-ˈlīn 

1

: to bring into or be in line or alignment

2

: to cause to be for or against something (as a belief or political party)

aligned himself with the opposition

aligner noun