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

The companies that focus on developing curiosity, aligning strengths, and supporting growth will build workplaces where people want to stay, contribute, and lead. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Every ingredient is vetted to align with the brand’s values. —Xandra Harbet, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

What yoga does to the body All yoga traditions believe that the energy of the spinal cord—where the seven chakras align—is a form of the divine feminine energy that animates and gives life to the body. —Tony Sanchez, Time, 25 Apr. 2025

In 2021, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to eliminate PIP and require mandatory BI coverage, aligning with the vast majority of states where insurance premiums are actually lower. —Richard D Schuler, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025

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