linear

1 of 2

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

linearity

2 of 2

noun

lin·​ear·​i·​ty ˌlinēˈarətē also -ˈer- 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being linear: such as

a

: the condition of extending along or in a line

b

: one to one correspondence between diverse and often opposed elements

c

: the faithfulness with which an output signal of an electronic reproducing system reproduces an input signal

specifically : the faithfulness with which the shape and arrangement of the elements in a television picture reproduce the shape and arrangement of the original televised image

Synonyms of linear

Adjective

• direct
• straight
• straightforward

Examples of linear in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

The center island has storage, a prep sink and a linear chandelier. — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Given the uncertain outcomes the Fed needs to think less in terms of linear economic curves and more probabilistically, in which case the potential upside for inflation given an energy price spike could warrant quicker action. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Most stories of this ilk build a linear trajectory—from performance, occasionally to education, to deduction, and finally to the household—but No Name is a circular story. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

All full-time and part-time QVC and HSN hosts employed at the company’s West Chester, Pennsylvania headquarters, working across linear television as well as livestream and shortform programming, were eligible to participate. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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