fishing line

noun

: a long line or cord attached to a hook and used for fishing

also : the type of line designed for this purpose

a length of fishing line

—used specifically for a strong, usually monofilament cord made from a polymer (such as nylon or Dacron)

… is held firm in the pot by plaster of paris and covered with sphagnum moss bound with clear fishing line.

—Patricia Leigh Brown

Just about any string, cord or thread will do for a kite line, but because the best line supplied adequate strength with minimal wind resistance and weight, a thin, strong line is clearly better than a thick, weak one. Monofilament fishing line has both qualities, but many kiters shun it for the same reason fishermen curse it: it gets hopelessly tangled up in itself.

—Robert Kimber

Examples of fishing line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Volunteers can adopt a fishing line recovery bin in their area. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025

Fishermen recently learned that when a great white shark suddenly appeared, and chomped on a striped bass that was on their fishing line. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025

The statement Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida said Barfield was angered by dolphins dining on red snapper from his clients’ fishing lines. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 May 2025

Use safe methods like ant moats, fishing line, diatomaceous earth, and repellent scents to block access. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fishing line

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine