linear

adjective

lin·​e·​ar ˈli-nē-ər 

1

a(1)

: of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line : straight

(2)

: involving a single dimension

b(1)

: of the first degree with respect to one or more variables

(2)

: of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra

c(1)

: characterized by an emphasis on line

linear art

(2)

: composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation

linear script

d

: consisting of a straight chain of atoms

a linear molecule

2

: elongated with nearly parallel sides

linear leaf

see leaf illustration

3

: having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input

4

: of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development

linear thinking

a linear narrative

linearity

ˌli-nē-ˈer-ə-tē 

-ˈa-rə-

noun

linearly

ˈli-nē-ər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of linear

• direct
• straight
• straightforward

Examples of linear in a Sentence

a flat, almost linear horizon

the bullets from early firearms were notorious for not following a strictly linear path through the air

Recent Examples on the Web

These songs operate on Imagist principles, confined to a single image or snippet of conversation and sometimes eschewing a second verse to pursue a linear start-to-finish structure. —Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026

Interestingly, Netflix had picked France as its testing ground for its first linear channel (named Direct) back in 2020 but the experiment was short-lived. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 June 2026

Netflix executives are known to be keen to see how users engage with linear channels, though the company also expects much of the viewing to be concentrated on TF1’s on-demand content. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 18 June 2026

Another pair of former Netflix executives, Cindy Holland and Matt Thunell, are tickled to be reunited with Matt and Ross at Paramount, where the Duffers’ deal encompasses (linear) TV, streaming and film. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing linear

• linear accelerator
• linear algebra
• linear combination
• linear dependence
• linear equation
• linear function
• linear independence
• linear interpolation
• linear measure
• linear motor
• linear perspective
• linear programming
• linear regression
• linear space
• linear transformation

Kids Definition

linear

adjective

lin·​ear

ˈlin-ē-ər

1

a

: relating to, consisting of, or resembling a line : straight

b

: involving a single dimension

c

: of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations or linear functions

2

: long and uniformly narrow

the linear leaf of the hyacinth

linearity

ˌlin-ē-ˈar-ət-ē

noun

linearly

ˈlin-ē-ər-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

linear

adjective

lin·​ear ˈlin-ē-ər 

: of, relating to, or resembling a line

linearity

ˌlin-ē-ˈar-ət-ē 

noun

plural linearities

linearly

ˈlin-ē-ər-lē 

adverb