line

noun, often attributive \ ˈlīn \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of line

1 a : a length of cord or cord-like material: such as

(1) : a comparatively strong slender cord

(2) : clothesline

(3) : a rope used on shipboard

b (1) : a device for catching fish consisting of a cord with hooks and other fishing gear

(2) : scope for activity : rope

c : a length of material used in measuring and leveling

used a line to level the foundation

d (1) : piping for conveying a fluid (such as steam)

installed a new gas line

(2) : a narrow short synthetic tube that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein (as of the arm) to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients

e (1) : a wire or pair of wires connecting one telegraph or telephone station with another or a whole system of such wires; also : any circuit in an electronic communication system

(2) : a telephone connection

tried to get a line

; also : an individual telephone extension

a call on line 2

(3) : the principal circuits of an electric power system

2 a (1) : a horizontal row of written or printed characters

the last line on the page

; also : a blank row in lieu of such characters

(2) : a unit in the rhythmic structure of verse formed by the grouping of a number of the smallest units of the rhythm (such as metrical feet)

The poem consisted of 14 lines.

(3) : a distinct segment of a computer program containing a single command or a small number of commands

b : a short letter : note

dropped him a line confirming the date

c lines plural : a certificate of marriage

d : the words making up a part in a performance —usually used in plural

memorized his lines

e : any of the successive horizontal rows of picture elements on the screen of a cathode-ray tube (such as a television screen)

3 a : something (such as a ridge or seam) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow

growth lines in a tree trunk

b : a narrow crease (as on the face) : wrinkle

c : the course or direction of something in motion : route

the line of flight of a bullet

d (1) : a state of agreement or conformity : accordance

took a firm line with his nephew

(2) : a state of order, control, or obedience

wouldn't let them get out of line

e (1) : a boundary of an area

the state line

(2) : distinction 2

the fine line between love and hate

f : the track and roadbed of a railway

g : an amount of cocaine that is arranged in a line to be inhaled through the nose

4 a : a course of conduct, action, or thought; especially : an official or public position

the party line

b : a field of activity or interest

worked in the plumbing line

c : a glib often persuasive way of talking

had a line to make the angels weep

5 a : limit, restraint

overstepped the line of good taste

b archaic : position in life : lot

6 a (1) : family, lineage

descended from a noble line

(2) : a strain produced and maintained especially by selective breeding or biological culture

(3) : a chronological series

b : orderly arrangements made to cover extended military positions and presenting a front to the enemy —usually used in plural

the lines of battle

c : a military formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other

d : naval ships arranged in a regular order

e (1) : the combatant forces of an army distinguished from the staff corps and supply services

(2) : the force of a regular navy

f (1) : officers of the navy eligible for command at sea distinguished from officers of the staff

(2) : officers of the army belonging to a combatant branch

g : an arrangement or placement of persons or objects of one kind in an orderly series

a line of trees

stand on line

waiting in line

; also : the persons or objects so positioned

the line moved slowly at the bank

h (1) : a group of public conveyances plying regularly under one management over a route

(2) : a system of transportation together with its equipment, routes, and appurtenances

the eastern freight lines

; also : the company owning or operating it

i : a succession of musical notes especially considered in melodic phrases

j (1) : an arrangement of operations in manufacturing permitting sequential occurrence on various stages of production

a production line

(2) : the personnel of an organization that are responsible for its stated objective

k (1) : the seven players including center, two guards, two tackles, and two ends who in offensive football play line up on or within one foot of the line of scrimmage

(2) : the players who in defensive play line up within one yard of the line of scrimmage

l : a group of three players including a left winger, center, and right winger who play together as a unit in hockey

7 : a narrow elongated mark drawn or projected: such as

a (1) : a circle of latitude or longitude on a map

(2) : equator

b : a mark (as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contour

c : any of the horizontal parallel strokes on a music staff on or between which notes are placed — compare space

d : a mark (as by pencil) that forms part of the formal design of a picture distinguished from the shading or color

e : a division on a bridge score dividing the score for bonuses from that for tricks

f (1) : a demarcation of a limit with reference to which the playing of some game or sport is regulated —usually used in combination

(2) : a marked or imaginary line across a playing area (such as a football field) parallel to the end line

(3) : line of scrimmage

8 : a straight or curved geometric element that is generated by a moving point and that has extension only along the path of the point : curve

9 a : a defining outline : contour

the rising line of the hills

b : a general plan : model —usually used in plural

explained the lines of his foreign policy

10 a chiefly British : pica —used to indicate the size of large type

b : the unit of fineness of halftones expressed as the number of screen lines to the linear inch

11 : merchandise or services of the same general class for sale or regularly available

a full line of electrical supplies

12 a : a source of information : insight

b : betting odds offered by a bookmaker especially on a sporting event

13 : a complete game of 10 frames in bowling — called also string

14 : line drive

—

liny

or less commonly liney play \ˈlī-nē\ adjective

— between the lines

1 : by implication : in an indirect way

2 : by way of inference

— down the line

1 : all the way : fully

2 : in the future

— in line for

: due or in a position to receive

— on line

: in or into operation

— on the line

1 : at great risk

puts his future on the line by backing that policy

2 : on the border between two categories

See line defined for English-language learners

See line defined for kids

Examples of line in a Sentence

I drew a straight line down the page to separate the two lists.
Cut the paper along the dotted line.
a tennis serve that was over the line
After three hours on the road, they finally crossed the state line.
Their yards were separated by a line of trees.
Everybody had to get in line and wait their turn.
The people were waiting in line.

Recent Examples of line from the Web

Williams, who comes from a long line of teachers, was at the Oklahoma capitol with his mom in 1990, the last time educators rallied the building to demand more funding.

— graham lee brewer, Teen Vogue, "Students Join Striking Teachers in Oklahoma and Kentucky to Protest by the Thousands," 4 Apr. 2018
Five days later, the occupant of a top-of-the-line Tesla Model X with its semiautonomous system engaged died after the vehicle hit a highway barrier in Northern California, was hit by two other cars, and caught fire.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "Self-driving car deaths raise the question: Is society ready for us to take our hands off the wheel?," 3 Apr. 2018
Between its entrenched starter and several top-of-the-line reserves, UW showed off perhaps the deepest and most talented room in college football.

— paul myerberg, USA TODAY, "College football had plenty of news you missed during the NCAA tournament," 3 Apr. 2018
The show’s writers — Dracula Untold and Gods of Egypt’s Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless are behind this reboot — do seem somewhat aware of the insidious nature of this line of thinking.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Netflix’s Lost in Space undermines a strong premise with dumb characters," 3 Apr. 2018
The ultimate target of this line of inquiry is unknown.

— aruna viswanatha, WSJ, "Mueller Probe Into U.A.E. Influence Broadens," 2 Apr. 2018
The four trims build on the previous, with the Limited being the top-of-the-line.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Hyundai’s Elantra compact sedan returns for 2018 with prices from $16,950-$22,100 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 31 Mar. 2018
Her bionic hand makes use of fishing line to open and close her fingers with a flick of her wrist, the video says.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "She's thrown out 4 MLB first pitches with a 3-D printed hand. Next stop: the Bay Area | The Sacramento Bee," 31 Mar. 2018
The two guys who had arrived an hour before held the front of the line.

— michael klein, Philly.com, "At Pizzeria Beddia, they wait for hours in line for the final* pies," 30 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of line

Middle English; partly from Anglo-French lingne, from Latin linea, from feminine of lineus made of flax, from linum flax; partly from Old English līne; akin to Old English līn flax — more at linen

First Known Use: before 12th century

line Synonyms

line

verb

Definition of line

lined; lining

transitive verb

1 : to mark or cover with a line or lines

lined paper

2 : to depict with lines : draw

3 : to place or form a line along

pedestrians line the walks

4 : to form into a line or lines : align

line up troops

5 : to hit (something, such as a baseball) hard and in a usually straight line

intransitive verb

1 : to hit a line drive in baseball

2 : to come into the correct relative position : align

Origin and Etymology of line

see ¹line

First Known Use: 1530

line

verb

Definition of line

lined; lining

transitive verb

1 : to cover the inner surface of

line a cloak with silk

2 : to put something in the inside of : fill

3 : to serve as the lining of

tapestries lined the walls

4 obsolete : fortify

— line one's pockets

: to take money freely and especially dishonestly

Origin and Etymology of line

Middle English, from line flax, from Old English līn

First Known Use: 14th century

LINE Defined for English Language Learners

line

noun

Definition of line for English Language Learners

: a long narrow mark on a surface
: a mark on the ground that shows the edge of the playing area in a sport
: an area or border that separates two places

LINE Defined for Kids

line

noun \ ˈlīn \

Definition of line for Students

1 : a long thin cord or rope

fishing lines

Hang your clothes on the line.

2 : a long narrow mark Draw a line on your paper.

3 : an arrangement of people or things in a row We waited in line.

4 : a row of letters, words, or musical notes across a page or column

5 : the boundary or limit of a place

the town line

6 : family 2

He comes from a long line of farmers.

7 : a way of behaving or thinking

He took a firm line with his son.

8 : ¹outline 1, contour

The sailboat has beautiful lines.

9 : an area of activity or interest

What line of work are you in?

10 : the position of military forces who are facing the enemy

11 : a pipe carrying a fluid (as steam, water, or oil)

12 : an outdoor wire carrying electricity or a telephone signal

13 lines plural : the words of a part in a play

14 : the path along which something moves or is directed

It's in my line of vision.

15 : the track of a railway

16 : agreement 1, harmony

They tried to bring their ideas into line.

17 : a system of transportation

a bus line

18 : the football players whose positions are along the line of scrimmage

19 : a geometric element produced by moving a point

20 : a plan for making or doing something

I wrote a story along these lines.

line

verb

Definition of line for Students

lined; lining

1 : to indicate with or draw a long narrow mark

2 : to place or be placed in a row along

Shops line the street.

— line up

1 : to gather or arrange in a row or rows

The children lined up.

2 : to put into alignment

Make sure the pieces line up.

line

verb

Definition of line for Students

lined; lining

: to cover the inner surface of

line a coat

Medical Dictionary

line

noun \ ˈlīn \

medical Definition of line

1 : something (as a ridge, seam, mark, or streak) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow — see linea

2 : a strain produced and maintained especially by selective breeding or biological culture

3 : a narrow short synthetic tube (as of plastic) that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein (as of the arm) to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients