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 resulting straight-line winds can be destructive and can reach over 100 mph in some cases. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The straight-line hammers have become familiar enough for a windmill or 360 to feel like a reasonable next request. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

According to the National Weather Service website, one brief tornado was spotted near Huntley during the storm and straight-line wind damage was reported around Bartlett, Hanover Park and Streamwood. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

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

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