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line

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The definition of a line is a mark connecting two points, something stretched between two things, or two or more people standing in a row.

(noun)

An example of a line is a horizontal mark drawn on a piece of paper.
An example of a line is caution tape marking off the scene of an accident.
An example of a line is fishing wire.
An example of a line is five people standing single file waiting to purchase movie tickets.

See line in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a cord, rope, wire, string, or the like
2. a long, fine, strong cord with a hook, sinker, leader, etc. used in fishing
3. a clothesline
4. a cord, steel tape, etc. used in measuring or leveling
5. a rope, hawser, or cable used on a ship
6. a rein: usually used in pl.
☆
1. a wire or wires connecting a telephone or telegraph system
2. a system of such wires
3. effective contact between telephones
4. a telephone extension: call me on line 9
any wire, pipe, system of pipes or wires, etc. for conducting water, gas, electricity, etc.
a very thin, threadlike mark; specif.,
1. a long, thin mark made by a pencil, pen, chalk, etc.
2. a similar mark cut in a hard surface, as by engraving
3. a thin crease in the palm or on the face
a mark made on the ground in certain sports; specif.,
1. any of the straight, narrow marks dividing or bounding a football field, tennis court, etc.: often used in combination: sideline
2. a mark indicating a starting point, a limit not to be crossed, or a point which must be reached or passed
☆ a border or boundary: the state line
a division between conditions, qualities, classes, etc.; limit; demarcation
outline; contour; lineament: built along modern lines
Archaic lot in life; one's fate
a plan of construction; plan of making or doing
a row or series of persons or things of a particular kind; specif.,
1. a row of written or printed characters extending across or part way across a page
2. a single row of words or characters making up a unit of poetry, often of a specified number of feet
3. ☆ a row of persons waiting in turn to buy something, enter a theater, etc.; queue
4. an assembly line or a similar arrangement for the packing, shipping, etc. of merchandise
a connected series of persons or things following each other in time or place; succession: a line of Democratic presidents
lineage
the descendants of a common ancestor or of a particular breed
☆
1. a transportation system or service consisting of regular trips by buses, ships, etc. between two or more points
2. ☆ a company operating such a system
3. one branch or division of such a system: the main line of a railroad
4. a single track of a railroad
the course or direction anything moving takes; path: the line of fire
1. a course of conduct, action, explanation, etc.: the line of an argument
2. a course of movement
a person's trade or occupation: what's his line?
☆ a stock of goods of a particular type considered with reference to quality, quantity, variety, etc.
1. the field of one's special knowledge, interest, or ability
2. a source or piece of information: a line on a bargain
a short letter, note, or card: drop me a line
all the speeches in a play; esp., the speeches of any single character
Informal persuasive or flattering talk that is insincere
☆ Informal the odds given by a bookmaker on the contestants in a race, game, etc.
Slang a small quantity of cocaine sniffed at one time
Brit. a stock, supply, display, etc., as of literary or artistic qualities, methods, or techniques: a nice line in irony
Chiefly Brit. a marriage certificate
in full marriage lines
☆ Basketball
Bridge the horizontal line on a score sheet below which are recorded points that count toward a game and above which, all other points
☆ Football
1. line of scrimmage
2. the players arranged in a row on either side of the line of scrimmage at the start of each play
Geog. an imaginary circle of the earth or of the celestial sphere, as the equator or the equinoctial circle
Hockey the two wings and the center playing together
Math.
1. the path of a moving point, thought of as having length but not breadth, whether straight or curved
2. such a path when considered perfectly straight
Mil.
1. a formation of ships, troops, etc. in which elements are abreast of each other
2. the area or position in closest contact with the enemy during combat
3. the troops in this area
4. the officers in immediate command of fighting ships or combat troops
5. ☆ the combatant branches of the army as distinguished from the supporting branches and the staff
Music any of the long parallel marks forming the staff
TV a scanning line

Origin: ME merging OE, a cord, with OFr ligne (both < L linea, lit., linen thread, n. use of fem. of lineus, of flax < linum, flax)

transitive verb lined, lining

to mark with lines
to draw or trace with or as with lines
to bring or cause to come into a straight row or into conformity; bring into alignment: often with up
to form a line along: elms line the streets
to place objects along the edge of: line the walk with flowers
☆ Baseball to hit (a pitched ball) in a line drive

intransitive verb

to form a line: usually with up
☆ Baseball to hit a line drive

adjective

of or having to do with the managing of departments, operations, etc. which are involved directly in producing income, as in production or sales as distinguished from those involved in routine internal functions

Related Forms:

linable adjective or lineable

transitive verb lined, lining

to put a layer or lining of a different material on the inside of
to be used as a lining in: cloth lined the trunk
to fill; stuff: now chiefly in , to make money, esp. greedily or unethically

Origin: ME lynen < lin, long-fiber flax, linen cloth < OE, ult. < L linum, flax: from use of linen to line clothes

See line in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Mathematics A geometric figure formed by a point moving along a fixed direction and the reverse direction.
a. A thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface.
b. A similar mark cut or scratched into a surface.
c. A crease in the skin, especially on the face; a wrinkle.
a. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference.
b. A degree or circle of longitude or latitude drawn on a map or globe.
c. The equator. Used with the.
a. A border or boundary: the county line.
b. A demarcation: a line of darker water beyond the reef.
c. A contour or an outline: the line of the hills against the evening sky.
a. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
b. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
a. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
b. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
c. A fishing line.
d. A clothesline.
e. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
A pipe or system of pipes for conveying a fluid: gas lines.
An electric-power transmission cable.
a. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
b. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line.
a. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
b. A company owning or managing such a system.
a. A railway track or system of tracks.
b. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line.
A course of progress or movement; a route: a line of flight.
a. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense.
b. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines.
c. An official or prescribed policy: the party line.
A general concept or model. Often used in the plural: a trilogy along the lines of the Oresteia.
A condition of agreement; alignment: brought the front wheels into line; a wage agreement in line with current inflation.
a. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in?
b. Range of competence: not in my line.
Merchandise or services of a similar or related nature: carries a complete line of small tools.
A group of persons or things arranged in a row or series: long lines at the box office; a line of stones.
a. Ancestry or lineage.
b. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers.
c. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
a. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument.
b. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
c. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
21.
a. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
b. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
22. A brief letter; a note: I'll drop you a line.
23.
a. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter.
b. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural: spent the weekend learning her lines.
24. Informal Glib or insincere talk, usually intended to deceive or impress: He kept on handing me a line about how busy he is.
25. lines Chiefly British
a. A marriage certificate.
b. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
26. Games A horizontal demarcation on a scorecard in bridge dividing the honor score from the trick score.
27.
a. A source of information.
b. The information itself: got a line on the computer project.
28.
a. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
b. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line.
29.
a. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
b. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
c. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
d. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
e. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
f. A bulwark or trench.
g. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line.
30. Sports
a. A foul line.
b. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
c. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
d. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
e. Football A line of scrimmage.
f. Football The linemen considered as a group.
31. Informal The odds a bookmaker gives, especially for sports events.
32. The proportion of an insurance risk assumed by a particular underwriter or company.
33. Slang A small amount of cocaine arranged in a thin, usually tightly rolled strip for sniffing.
34. Archaic One's lot or position in life.

verb lined lined, lin·ing, lines

verb, transitive

To mark, incise, or cover with a line or lines.
To represent with lines.
To place in a series or row.
To form a bordering line along: Small stalls lined the alley.
Baseball To hit (a ball) sharply so that it flies low and fast.

verb, intransitive
Baseball

To hit a line drive: lined out to shortstop.

Phrasal Verb: line up To arrange in or form a line. Football To take one's position in a formation before a snap or kickoff. To organize and make ready: lined up considerable support for the bill.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English līne

Origin: and from Old French ligne

Origin: , both from Latin līnea, string, cord

Origin: , from

Origin: feminine of līneus, of linen

Origin: , from līnum, thread, linen; see lĭ̄no- in Indo-European roots

transitive verb lined lined, lin·ing, lines