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

Many professionals, particularly those in leadership roles, donate to members of their congressional delegation regardless of whether their personal politics align. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

Under the program, a portion of each purchase will support University of Colorado student athletes through contributions to the school’s NIL fund, aligning the brand with the evolving athlete compensation model reshaping collegiate sports. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Feb. 2026

Still, the interests of sponsors and donor-advisors are rarely perfectly aligned. —Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026

So, apart from our open defiance of all things old-world, why did America ultimately align itself against the British? —Byron Hurd, The Drive, 26 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