battle line

noun

1

: a line along which a battle is fought

2

: a line defining the positions of opposing groups in a conflict or controversy

—usually plural

battle lines were drawn over economic policies

Examples of battle line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Until one party’s will or ability to fight is broken, the battle lines are typically held through mass. — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026

The battle lines are drawn early and definitively in Jocelyn Bioh‘s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Beach battle lines On a recent afternoon at high tide, beach activist Sara Day points out where the dividing line is. — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Midterm battle lines have been drawn across the Western states, as attention turns to general election campaigning with three months until November’s election day. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for battle line

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline