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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the stars align — a joke hits — there forms a moment of community. Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 Ironically, if Trump does start deporting migrants and cutting public funding for Catholic charities, the US bishops could end up much more closely aligned with Francis’ agenda. Christopher Lamb, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 The 16x figure aligns with the stock’s average P/E ratio over the last three years. Trefis Team, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 The congressional bathroom ban is the latest transgender policy battle Ohio joins at least 14 other states in banning transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for align 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of align was circa 1693

Dictionary Entries Near align

Cite this Entry

“Align.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/align. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

align

verb
variants also aline
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

More from Merriam-Webster on align

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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