lane

1 of 2

noun

ˈlān 

1

: a narrow passageway between fences or hedges

2

: a relatively narrow way or track: such as

a

: an ocean route used by or prescribed for ships

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: air lane

d

: any of several parallel courses on a track or swimming pool in which a competitor must stay during a race

e

: an unmarked lengthwise division of a playing area which defines the playing zone of a particular player

f

: a narrow hardwood surface having pins at one end and a gutter along each side that is used in bowling

g

: free throw lane

lane

2 of 2

Scottish variant of lone

Examples of lane in a Sentence

Noun

The truck's driver kept changing lanes.

She moved to the outside lane.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

All three westbound lanes were closed in the wake of the crash, snarling the afternoon commute. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026

Salem, an unusually smooth player for a freshman, made a 13-foot jumper in the lane to push the Villa Park lead to 53-47. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Prior to the crash, CHP received reports of a vehicle matching the Volkswagen's description driving the wrong way in the southbound lanes near Striplin Road. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Richmond detected his defender, Tyler Harris, was a half-step behind and drove swiftly from the top of the circle and the right side of the lane for an easy layup and a 15-4 lead. —Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English lanu; akin to Middle Dutch lane lane

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lane

• air lane
• breakdown lane
• express lane
• fast lane
• free throw lane
• memory lane
• passing lane
• sea-lane
• slow lane

Rhymes for lane

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

lane

noun

ˈlān

1

: a narrow way or road usually between fences, hedges, or buildings

2

: a somewhat narrow way or track: as

a

: an ocean route for ships

also : air lane

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: a bowling alley

Biographical Definition

Lane

biographical name

ˈlān 

Edward William 1801–1876 English orientalist