lane

noun \ ˈlān \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

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

Eastbound traffic on that part of I-10 is also down to one lane, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

— samantha ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Big rig crash in Chambers County causes sand to spill on I-10 westbound, closing lanes," 11 Apr. 2018
Part of Central Street was temporarily restricted to one lane while the truck was towed, according to the statement.

— alana levene, BostonGlobe.com, "Two people injured in East Bridgewater truck rollover," 11 Apr. 2018
Dominski was driving south then veered into the northbound lanes, where one driver swerved to avoid her — and subsequently crashed — before her car slammed head-on into Franckowiak's vehicle near Jay Lane, according to the criminal complaint.

— steven martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Case of Pewaukee woman accused of homicide in fatal Lisbon crash continues to plod along," 11 Apr. 2018
The solar panels spread across two lanes, which feel no different to a driver than the regular road, and are thinner than a 1-yuan coin standing on its edge.

— Bloomberg.com, "The Solar Highway That Can Recharge Electric Cars on the Move," 11 Apr. 2018
The Camry was stopped in the turning lane to turn onto a private drive, the crash report says.

— ashley remkus, AL.com, "Policeman who died wrecked partrol car twice in less than an hour, reports say," 10 Apr. 2018
The clinic occupies an unassuming property on a verdant lane about a 30-minute drive from the city center.

— lauren said-moorhouse and muhammad darwish, CNN, "Anti-abortion protests banned outside London clinic," 10 Apr. 2018
The driver of a 2017 Mercedes entered the turn lane, heading southbound, striking the bicyclist.

— brandon patterson, Detroit Free Press, "Driver strikes, kills bicyclist on Harper in Clinton Township," 10 Apr. 2018
The first phase will include work along the eastbound and westbound lanes and sidewalks from Main Street to the roundabout at the intersection of New London Turnpike and Hebron Avenue.

— peter marteka, Courant Community, "Portion of Hebron Avenue Closed To Vehicular And Pedestrian Traffic," 9 Apr. 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

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