lane

noun \ ˈlān \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Examples: lane in a Sentence

Definition of lane

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

See lane defined for English-language learners

See lane defined for kids

Examples of lane in a Sentence

The truck's driver kept changing lanes.
She moved to the outside lane.

Recent Examples of lane from the Web

Tiny Eritrea, located on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and across the Red Sea from the Arabian Peninsula, has been ruled by Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after years of rebel warfare.

— Washington Post, "Eritrea leader visits Ethiopia on Saturday in historic thaw," 13 July 2018
The South China Sea has some of the world's busiest sea lanes and is believed to be rich in natural gas and oil.

— Fox News, "Duterte pressed to assert 2016 arbitration victory vs China," 12 July 2018
Footage shows Keim's vehicle drifting between lanes and nearly striking a curb after making a left turn at an intersection.

— arizona republic, azcentral, "Body cam footage reveals details of Cardinals GM Steve Keim's DUI arrest," 11 July 2018
Visitors also will be able to stroll down bus lanes and out onto the cable-stay bridge across Howard Street that connects the center to the Bay Bridge.

— john king, SFChronicle.com, "S.F.’s long-awaited Salesforce Transit Center sets opening date for Aug. 12," 10 July 2018
Bike lanes and bike paths and free pancakes for commuters aren’t enough.

— marc peruzzi, Outside Online, "The Troubling Rise of the Ghost Bike," 9 July 2018
Fun Factor Vehicles are not allowed in many parts of the resort, so children are free to run around the lanes, and the village setting evokes the feeling of a friendly, small English town.

— New York Times, "Looking for a Weekend Escape? Here Are 5 Family-Friendly Options," 6 July 2018
Construction of a bike path between Detroit Mercy and Marygrove College that links to the city's growing network of bike lanes and greenways, including the Dequindre Cut, is expected to begin this summer.

— joe guillen, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit's showcase neighborhood project falls a year behind schedule," 3 July 2018
Both goals were a result of some idle movements within Sporting KC’s structure — the first on its failure to close the distance in Piatti’s shooting lane and the second on its inability to clear a ball from danger.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Montreal pitches shut out, ends Sporting KC's nine-game unbeaten streak," 30 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of lane

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

lane

Definition of lane

Scottish variant of lone

Lane

biographical name \ ˈlān \

Definition of Lane

Edward William 1801–1876 English orientalist

LANE Defined for English Language Learners

lane

noun

Definition of lane for English Language Learners

: a narrow road or path
: a part of road that is marked by painted lines and that is for a single line of vehicles
: a narrow part of a track or swimming pool that is used by a single runner or swimmer in a race