plumb line
noun
1
: a line (as of cord) that has at one end a weight (such as a plumb bob) and is used especially to determine verticality
2
: a line directed to the center of gravity of the earth : a vertical line
Examples of plumb line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like a weighted plumb line, his memories of their day together sank him into a deep, tranquil sleep.
—
Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
No one knew what kinda plumb line–astrolabe–compass had brought them to land.
—Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Conceived around the simple concept of a plumb line, the pieces play with the house’s signature use of negative space, with typical restraint.
—Sarah Royce-Greensill, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023
Every two weeks, a dam employee enters one of the four concrete intake towers and lowers a plumb line down to the water level to take an exact measurement.
—Joshua Partlow, Anchorage Daily News, 29 June 2022
Since that's often not the case, Rees recommends drawing a plumb line, basically a guideline to ensure your wallpaper is aligned.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 4 Dec. 2020
Make sure the paper's edge is flush with the plumb line to start, then align subsequent strips with the strip before them.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 4 Dec. 2020
Four weighted plumb lines hung from the ends of the arms.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 7 Dec. 2019
Then gently unroll the paper strips onto the wall, working your way from top to bottom, and keeping the edge of the paper aligned with the plumb line.
—Daniel Bortz, sacbee, 15 June 2018
Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
No one knew what kinda plumb line–astrolabe–compass had brought them to land.
—Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Conceived around the simple concept of a plumb line, the pieces play with the house’s signature use of negative space, with typical restraint.
—Sarah Royce-Greensill, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023
Every two weeks, a dam employee enters one of the four concrete intake towers and lowers a plumb line down to the water level to take an exact measurement.
—Joshua Partlow, Anchorage Daily News, 29 June 2022
Since that's often not the case, Rees recommends drawing a plumb line, basically a guideline to ensure your wallpaper is aligned.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 4 Dec. 2020
Make sure the paper's edge is flush with the plumb line to start, then align subsequent strips with the strip before them.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 4 Dec. 2020
Four weighted plumb lines hung from the ends of the arms.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 7 Dec. 2019
Then gently unroll the paper strips onto the wall, working your way from top to bottom, and keeping the edge of the paper aligned with the plumb line.
—Daniel Bortz, sacbee, 15 June 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plumb line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of plumb line was
in the 15th century
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Dictionary Entries Near plumb line
Cite this Entry
“Plumb line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumb%20line. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
plumb line
noun
: a line that has a weight (as a plumb bob) at one end and is used to find out whether something is vertical or to measure depth
More from Merriam-Webster on plumb line
Nglish: Translation of plumb line for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plumb line
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