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

Surveys are conducted to determine whether damage was caused by a tornado or straight-line winds, according to the weather service. — David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 June 2026

In additional to the small tornado risk, there is also a chance of damaging, straight-line winds, lightning and torrential downpours. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Roughly 39 million people could be affected by another severe weather outbreak Wednesday, from eastern Kansas to central Ohio, with hazards in this region that may include damaging straight-line winds, large hail and tornadoes. — Francie Ebert, NBC news, 15 June 2026

Northern Illinois also saw flooding as a result of heavy rainfall, with parts of the Chicago metro area seeing areas of strong straight-line wind damage. — Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 12 June 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