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

This is known as a downburst, or straight-line winds, and the phenomenon can generate winds as strong as a tornado. — Mark Price july 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

The now-$15 dress has a classic design with a crew neckline and short-sleeve, plus a long, straight-line skirt that gives it a more polished appearance. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Likewise, tuned electric power steering and all-wheel-drive logic are said to provide better assist in turns, with the latter also optimizing rear torque distribution for straight-line speed. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 29 July 2026

Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, large hail and damaging straight-line winds depend on small-scale atmospheric processes that global climate models still struggle to represent accurately. — Deepti Singh, The Conversation, 24 July 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