clothesline

1 of 2

noun

clothes·​line ˈklōz-ˌlīn 

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

Noun

In the first clip, five white shirts hang on a clothesline before the camera pans to a visibly pregnant Ciara, wearing a white tank top and jeans, her hair in rollers. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026

Each man delivered forearm arm shots and double clotheslines trying to get the upper hand. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

Her own coach rushed to come to the defense of DiJonai Carrington after Carrington clotheslined her, leading to a bloody mouth. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Femi miraculously bounced right back to his feet and clotheslined Lesnar to the outside. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

clothesline

noun

clothes·​line

-ˌlīn

: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry