lane

1 of 2

noun

ˈlān 

1

: a narrow passageway between fences or hedges

2

: a relatively narrow way or track: such as

a

: an ocean route used by or prescribed for ships

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: air lane

d

: any of several parallel courses on a track or swimming pool in which a competitor must stay during a race

e

: an unmarked lengthwise division of a playing area which defines the playing zone of a particular player

f

: a narrow hardwood surface having pins at one end and a gutter along each side that is used in bowling

g

: free throw lane

lane

2 of 2

Scottish variant of lone

Examples of lane in a Sentence

Noun

The truck's driver kept changing lanes.

She moved to the outside lane.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ultra small-scale events, on the other hand, are also carving out a lane for themselves in the ecosystem. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

The collision on the narrow two-lane highway ignited a fire that engulfed the 17-passenger mid-sized commercial shuttle bus, which had a 50-year-old driver and five passengers onboard, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Prior to construction, commuters could access eight lanes to reach destinations west of downtown Boise — two lanes on State Street, three lanes on Main Street and three lanes on Front Street that take drivers to Interstate 184. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026

In Wichita, in 2024, Moyer and Bowers bought both Seneca Bowl and Derby Bowl in Derby, Kansas from Dale and Doris Frazier, a couple that had owned the lanes since 1975. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English lanu; akin to Middle Dutch lane lane

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lane

• air lane
• breakdown lane
• carpool lane
• express lane
• fast lane
• free throw lane
• HOV lane
• memory lane
• passing lane
• sea-lane
• slow lane

Rhymes for lane

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

lane

noun

ˈlān

1

: a narrow way or road usually between fences, hedges, or buildings

2

: a somewhat narrow way or track: as

a

: an ocean route for ships

also : air lane

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: a bowling alley

Biographical Definition

Lane

biographical name

ˈlān 

Edward William 1801–1876 English orientalist