lined; lining
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
1
: to hit a line drive in baseball
2
: to come into the correct relative position : align
lined; lining
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
see also:
Cite this Entry
“Line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
line
1 of 3 noun
1
: a long thin cord
a fishing line
2
: a cord, wire, or tape used in measuring and leveling
3
a
: a pipe for carrying a fluid
gas line
water line
steam line
b
: a wire or set of wires carrying electricity
a power line
telegraph lines
a telephone line
4
a
: a row of words, letters, numbers, or symbols that are written, printed, or displayed (as on a page or TV screen)
also
: space for such a line
b
: a structural unit of something written (as a poem or a computer program)
c
: a short letter : note
drop me a line
d
plural
: the words of a part in a play
forgot her lines
5
a
: something (as a ridge, seam, or wrinkle) that is long and narrow
b
: the direction followed by something in motion
the line of flight of a bullet
c
: the boundary or limit of a place or lot
town line
property line
d
: the difference known or pointed out
the fine line between love and hate
e
: the track of a railway
6
: a state of agreement
the red one is more in line with what I had in mind
7
a
: a course of behavior or thinking
especially
: an official or public position
the party line
b
: what one does or is interested in
is medicine your line?
c
: smooth or interesting talk that is often insincere
8
: family sense 2
descended from a royal line
9
a
: the position of military forces facing the enemy
on the front and behind the lines
our first line of defense
b
: an arrangement of persons or things in a series
waiting in line
10
: goods for sale of one general kind
a line of clothing
11
: a system of transportation or the route over which it travels
a bus line
a steamship line
military supply lines
12
a
: a long narrow mark (as one made by a pencil)
b
: one of the horizontal lines on a music staff
c
: the football players whose positions are along the line of scrimmage
d
: a group of three players who play together as a unit in hockey
13
: a geometric element that is formed by a moving point and that has length but no width or thickness
especially
: such an element that is straight
14
a
: outline entry 1 sense 1, contour
a ship's lines
b
: a general plan
a story along these lines
line
2 of 3 verb
lined; lining
1
: to mark with a line or lines
2
: to place or form a line along
3
: to form a line : form into lines
4
: to hit a line drive
line
3 of 3 verb
lined; lining
: to cover the inner surface of
line a box with paper
tapestries lined the walls
Etymology
Noun
Middle English line "thread," partly from Old English līne (same meaning) and partly from early French lingne (same meaning), derived from Latin linum "flax"
Verb
Old English līn "flax"
Medical Definition
line
noun1
: 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
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