straight-line

adjective

ˈstrāt-ˈlīn 

1

: being a mechanical linkage or equivalent device designed to produce or copy motion in a straight line

2

: having the principal parts arranged in a straight line

3

: marked by a uniform spread and especially in equal segments over a given term

straight-line amortization

straight-line depreciation

4

: occurring, measured, or made in or along a straight line

straight-line motion

straight-line extrapolation

Examples of straight-line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Combined with the intelligent path planning algorithm, the mower ensures precision straight-line mowing with three customizable path options to match your mowing preferences. —William Jones, USA Today, 9 July 2025

Due date for individuals and businesses affected by wildfires and straight-line winds in southern California that began on January 7, 2025. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

Some of the tests conducted there include those for stopping and going, high-speed bursts, noise pass-by and straight-line coasting. —Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025

At least two people have died after the severe storm system that brought damaging straight-line winds and tornadoes to the region dumped torrential rain over Kentucky over the past several days. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for straight-line

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Legal Definition

straight-line

adjective

: marked by equal payments over a given term

using the straight-line method of depreciation