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

Example Sentences

Noun

The truck's driver kept changing lanes.

She moved to the outside lane.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Now 80 and based in Los Angeles, Cale has managed to maintain a vibrant career in his own lane without too much struggle, to the tune of 17 studio albums and countless live recordings. —Steve Appleford, SPIN, 6 Feb. 2023

That's out of my lane and above my pay grade at the same time. —ABC News, 5 Feb. 2023

No detour is currently necessary, as utility workers are only completing short-term lane closure labor. —Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 30 Jan. 2023

Seney knows his lane, something Sorensen impressed on him. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2023

An Atlanta police officer observed a pickup truck speeding and failing to maintain its lane, officials said. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2023

Atlanta police say Cameron Batson, 27, was stopped on an interstate highway about 2 a.m. Saturday for failing to maintain his lane and speeding, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. —Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2022

For 30-plus years, Allure has reported on those ever-more-frequent moments when beauty burst from its narrow lane of hair, makeup, and skin-care trends to dominate the news and to occupy a central space in the popular consciousness. —David Denicolo, Allure, 28 Dec. 2022

Drivers are also advised not to use cruise control in slick conditions and to stay in their lane as much as possible, since there may be patches of ice between lanes. —Maria Cramer, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Dec. 2022

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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

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

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

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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