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

On Monday, October 26, an unseasonably warm autumn night, battle lines were drawn on Broadway, between downtown and uptown, theater and Home Box Office, the former new guard and the new class of old guard. — The Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

An array of Yemeni government forces and southern separatists struggled to push the Houthis back, and the battle lines moved little before a 2022 ceasefire. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

The Arsht push for digital billboards is reviving the battle lines first drawn during the PAMM fight, with opponents of that sign now repeating their arguments. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

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

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