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

• direct
• right
• straight
• straightaway
• 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

The standard carry-on size, however, is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, with a maximum size between 45 and 51 linear inches. —Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

Based on his estimate for the valuation of Paramount’s linear TV assets, Supino then explained the upside for the buyer ahead. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

Parks and Recreation: The Wharf is a mile-long linear park with swings and lounge chairs overlooking the water. —Amy Worden, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Still, that leaves legacy media companies stuck in a balancing act of growing their streaming businesses without killing their linear ones. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Many of its problems come with the job running a sprawling media conglomerate in the 2020s: The once-lucrative tent pole of linear TV is rapidly crumbling, while its theoretical replacement, streaming services, are burning through cash. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

The linear television business, including ESPN, has declined at a faster-than-expected rate, eroding a key profit center. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

There is a linear relationship between heart rate and exercise intensity, meaning as the exercise intensity increases, so does heart rate. —Jason Sawyer, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2024

The chatbots were still being programmed in a linear way, with input/output streams that could be quantified and identified by users. —John Werner, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing linear

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

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