hairline

noun hair·line \ ˈher-ˈlīn \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of hairline

1 : a very slender line: such as

a : a tiny line or crack on a surface

a hairline bone fracture

b : a fine line connecting thicker strokes in a printed letter

2 : hairbreadth

3 a : a textile design consisting of lengthwise or crosswise lines usually one thread wide

b : a fabric with such a design

4 a : the outline of scalp hair especially on the forehead

b : the way the hair frames the face

—

hairline

adjective

See hairline defined for English-language learners

See hairline defined for kids

Examples of hairline in a Sentence

The plate had a hairline running across it.
He has a receding hairline.

Recent Examples of hairline from the Web

The telltale red rash that starts at the hairline follows a few days later.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Measles exposure possible at CVS and Mexican restaurant in Northland | The Kansas City Star," 30 Mar. 2018
By Wednesday morning, the first hairline crack in Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition had become visible, as a fellow member of Likud, Oren Hazan, called on Mr. Netanyahu to step aside.

— isabel kershner and david m. halbfinger, New York Times, "Top Aide to Netanyahu Turns State Witness as Graft Cases Multiply," 21 Feb. 2018
All that extra hairspray on your bangs could be the cause of those annoying pimples on your forehead and along your hairline.

— kristin koch, Seventeen, "Your Clear Skin Countdown: 30 Pro Tips for Getting Rid of Acne Fast," 17 Oct. 2017
Once a month for the past year, my husband has hovered over my head like a drone, carefully pulling out the 20 or so newly sprouted silvery gray hairs dotting my otherwise deep-brunette hairline.

— lauren levinson, Glamour, "Seeing Women in Their 30s With Gray Roots Inspired Me to Leave Mine Alone," 2 Apr. 2018
Status: Full go (Missed first three games) Feduccia missed the first three games of the regular season after suffering a hairline fracture in his catching hand after getting hit on a backswing just before the season started.

— andrew lopez, NOLA.com, "How the injury bug has affected LSU baseball in 2018," 29 Mar. 2018
Matthews averaged 25 points and nine rebounds per game and led his high school team deep into the state playoffs, playing several games after being diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his wrist.

— dom amore, courant.com, "Emmitt Matthews Jr. Becomes Second Recruit To Decommit From UConn," 28 Mar. 2018
The camera snaps; the flash ripples up from his belly button to above his hairline like lightning across the Serengeti; the crew is pleased.

— brennan kilbane, Allure, "Meet Kristan Serafino, Hollywood’s Most Sought-After Groomer," 22 Mar. 2018
But Sanders and Chyna got in a huge fight, though, in 2015 when Chyna thought Sanders was talking bad about her hairline.

— shannon barbour, Cosmopolitan, "15 Things To Know About Heather Sanders, Kylie Jenner's BFF," 6 Feb. 2018

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

First Known Use of hairline

1846

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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hairline Synonyms

HAIRLINE Defined for English Language Learners

hairline

noun

Definition of hairline for English Language Learners

: a thin line or crack
: the line where your hair starts on your forehead

Medical Dictionary

hairline

noun hair·line \ -ˈlīn \

medical Definition of hairline

: the outline of scalp hair especially on the forehead

—

hairline

adjective

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See words that rhyme with hairline Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hairline Spanish Central: Translation of hairline Nglish: Translation of hairline for Spanish speakers

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hairline

Definition of hairline

hairline

Examples of hairline in a Sentence

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First Known Use of hairline

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HAIRLINE Defined for English Language Learners

hairline

Definition of hairline for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

hairline

medical Definition of hairline

hairline

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