clothesline

1 of 2

noun

clothes·​line ˈklōz-ˌlīn How to pronounce clothesline (audio)
also ˈklōt͟hz-
: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry

clothesline

2 of 2

verb

clotheslined; clotheslining; clotheslines

transitive verb

: to knock down (someone, such as a football player) by catching by the neck with an outstretched arm

Examples of clothesline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Or, use a skirt hanger with adjustable clips to hang the shade from a clothesline or shower rod to drip dry. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025 Instead, blouses are pinned in a group on an actual clothesline, dresses hung like everyday clothing in a dresser, or folded and set into trunks. Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
The move, which Legion of Doom famously used by clotheslining an opponent down, seemed to go wrong as Breakker landed badly, and seemed a bit dazed after the spot. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025 She gets instantly clotheslined. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clothesline

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clothesline was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clothesline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothesline. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

clothesline

noun
clothes·​line
-ˌlīn
: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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