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

Tornadoes, large hail, intense straight-line winds, and significant flash flooding was witnessed across North Texas Saturday night. —Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

Tornado threats of varying levels are in place each day through Monday, as are risks for damaging straight-line wind gusts and hail. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

The most likely threat is damaging straight-line winds from a line of storms, but if storms can remain more isolated, hail and tornadoes could also happen, the weather service said. —Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026

Curved edges instead of boxy, straight-line layouts also soften boundaries and create a sense of flow that makes a garden feel more expansive. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 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
• byline
• canine

Legal Definition

straight-line

adjective

: marked by equal payments over a given term

using the straight-line method of depreciation