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
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
Examples of hairline in a Sentence
The plate had a hairline running across it.
He has a receding hairline.
Recent Examples on the Web
My poll produced a perfect score: 100% of the people who saw the cast responded by telling me about their experience with a cast or a hairline fracture; none expressed any empathy for my discomfort.
—
Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Also, be careful not to apply the mask onto your hairline to avoid a painful removal process.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025
But uniting the various factions of the GOP conference poses unique difficulties — a challenge only exacerbated by the Republicans’ hairline majority in the House, where just a few defections would sink the whole project.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
The Sox will begin the season with infielder Josh Rojas (hairline fracture in his right big toe) and outfielder Mike Tauchman (right hamstring strain) on the injured list.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hairline
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Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Also, be careful not to apply the mask onto your hairline to avoid a painful removal process.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025
But uniting the various factions of the GOP conference poses unique difficulties — a challenge only exacerbated by the Republicans’ hairline majority in the House, where just a few defections would sink the whole project.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
The Sox will begin the season with infielder Josh Rojas (hairline fracture in his right big toe) and outfielder Mike Tauchman (right hamstring strain) on the injured list.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hairline
Cite this Entry
“Hairline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairline. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hairline
noun
hair·line
ˈha(ə)r-ˌlīn 
ˈhe(ə)r-
1
a
: a very slender line
b
: a very thin crack on a surface
a hairline bone fracture
2
: the outline of the hair on the head and especially on the forehead
hairline
adjective
Medical Definition
hairline
noun
hair·line
-ˈlīn
: the outline of scalp hair especially on the forehead
hairline
adjective
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