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

The region remains under a slight risk — level 2 of 5 — for severe weather, with damaging straight-line winds the most likely hazard and a low-end tornado threat also present. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

And while 388 hp might sound a bit underwhelming as quadruple-digit outputs become more commonplace, the Carrera T’s straight-line performance is more than sufficient in any real-world context. — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

As global markets demanded higher performance thresholds, Gaydon answered with the ferocious Aston Martin DBX707, a high-velocity machine with premium luxury credentials plus supercar-slaying straight-line velocity. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026

Mercedes has the car to beat in terms of straight-line speed, and the Baku City Circuit has the longest straight on the F1 calendar. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

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
• brucine
• byline

Legal Definition

straight-line

adjective

: marked by equal payments over a given term

using the straight-line method of depreciation