flatline

verb flat·line \ ˈflat-ˌlīn \

Updated on: 30 Mar 2018

Definition of flatline

intransitive verb

1 a : to register on an electronic monitor as having no brain waves or heartbeat

b : die

2 a : to be in a state of no progress or advancement

b : to come to an end

—

flatliner

noun

Examples of flatline in a Sentence

the patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline before the night was over

Recent Examples of flatline from the Web

University of Washington modeling, commissioned by Gates, estimates that if investment isn't increased in health and education, then the per-capita GDP, rising steadily for decades, will flatline.

— david mckenzie, CNN, "Bill Gates tells Nigerian leaders to 'face facts' so they can make progress," 26 Mar. 2018
Average house prices, then, look set to flatline this year.

— samuel tombs, WSJ, "Britain’s New Housing Dilemma," 7 Mar. 2018
Berman said campaigns typically flatline in the middle.

— cheryl v. jackson, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago design veteran winds up in a 'nail biter' on Kickstarter," 7 Sep. 2017
The inning would flatline in the next moments when Cuthbert bobbled a grounder at third base and threw wildly to first, allowing another run to score and everybody to be safe.

— rustin dodd, kansascity.com, "Shaky relief corps, tight strike zone doom Royals in 8-2 loss to Blue Jays," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flatline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of flatline

1980

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

flatline

intransitive verb flat·line \ ˈflat-ˌlīn \

medical Definition of flatline

flatlined; flatlining

1 : to register on an electronic monitor as having no heartbeart or brain waves : to experience cessation of heart contractions or brain wave activity as indicated by a flat line on a electrocardiogram or electroencephalogram

I flatlined on the operating table, but Dr. Bunsom managed to revive me.
—Alison Wright, Yoga Journal, May/June 2005

He used to be ill quite a bit as a younger child, and his heart flatlined four times before he was 6.
—Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World, 19 Dec. 2007

2 : ¹die

But just because death is expected doesn't mean it's any less depressing when the patient finally flatlines.
—Phil Taylor, Sports Illustrated, 26 Jan. 2009

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flatline

Definition of flatline

flatliner

Examples of flatline in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flatline from the Web

First Known Use of flatline

Medical Dictionary

flatline

medical Definition of flatline

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flatline

Definition of flatline

flatliner

Examples of flatline in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flatline from the Web

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flatline

medical Definition of flatline

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