alignment

noun

align·​ment ə-ˈlīn-mənt 

variants or less commonly alinement

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

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 on the Web

The debate escalated after the League party called for billions in frozen Russian assets held in the EU to be returned to Moscow, a stance rejected by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who reaffirmed alignment with Meloni’s position. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

That excitement led to a brief alignment with Interscope Records for several months before returning to independence. —Melinda Newman, Billboard, 5 Dec. 2025

Weak lensing surveys look for distortions in the shapes and alignments of galaxies caused by the subtle gravitational lensing by dark matter to allow astronomers to map the cosmic web. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025

Side and stomach sleepers should pick a memory foam mattress to contour the body and provide proper alignment. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alignment

• in alignment
• out of alignment

Rhymes for alignment

• alinement
• assignment
• confinement
• consignment
• refinement
• misalignment
• nonalignment
• realignment
• reassignment
• reconsignment

Kids Definition

alignment

noun

align·​ment

variants also alinement

ə-ˈlīn-mənt 

1

a

: the act of aligning : the state of being aligned

b

: the proper adjustment of parts in relation to each other

2

: an arrangement of groups or forces

a new political alignment