short line

noun

: a transportation system (such as a railroad) operating over a relatively short distance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web To date Amtrak, many commuter rail and short line companies are part of this program, but not a single Class I railroad participates. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 3 Mar. 2023 In SoHo on a recent Friday afternoon, a short line had formed on Crosby Street in front of the clothing store Aimé Leon Dore, even though it was not crowded with shoppers inside. Dodai Stewart, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 Wife Freda was briskly working to address a short line in front of the restaurant, securing tables inside for those waiting outside. Dodai Stewart, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 Simply stick the pole in the bottom and secure the boat with a short line. Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023 For example, if the short line at the supermarket has two very full trolleys and the long queue has four relatively empty baskets, many people would actually join the longer loner. Enrico Scalas And Nicos Georgiou, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2017 Soon, a short line had formed, and members of the campaign passed out buttons and stickers. Jazmine Ulloa, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Dec. 2022 Having waited in a short line to participate in the virtual journey, we were offered a sanitized mask. Erin Michelle Newberg, Vogue, 1 Dec. 2022 Just before midnight on a Friday in June, a short line formed outside Elsewhere, a music venue and nightclub in Bushwick, Brooklyn. New York Times, 16 July 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'short 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

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short line was circa 1917

Dictionary Entries Near short line

Cite this Entry

“Short line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20line. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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