SKIP TO CONTENT

lane

/leɪn/
/leɪn/
IPA guide

Other forms: lanes

A lane is a relatively narrow street or road. Most country lanes never get backed up with rush hour traffic.

There's the kind of lane that meanders through wooded, hilly countryside, and then there's the lane that's one particular row of traffic on the a busier road. This second kind of lane is sometimes just one of many options, like on an eight-lane highway. You might also choose a lane in a swimming pool, if you swim competitively or among many lap swimmers.

Definitions of lane
  1. noun
    a narrow way or road
    see moresee less
    type of:
    way
    any artifact consisting of a road or path affording passage from one place to another
  2. noun
    a well-defined track or path; for e.g. swimmers or lines of traffic
    see moresee less
    types:
    alley, bowling alley, skittle alley
    a lane down which a bowling ball is rolled toward pins
    free throw lane
    a lane on a basketball court extending from the end line to 15 feet in front of the backboard; players may not enter this lane during a free throw
    sea lane, seaway, ship route, trade route
    a lane at sea that is a regularly used route for vessels
    traffic lane
    a lane of a main road that is defined by painted lines
    bus lane
    a traffic lane intended for buses only
    fast lane
    the traffic lane for vehicles that are moving rapidly
    slow lane
    the traffic lane for vehicles that are moving slowly
    type of:
    path
    a way especially designed for a particular use
Pronunciation
US
/leɪn/
UK
/leɪn/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘lane'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family