line
Other forms: lines; lined; lining
Line has many meanings, most stemming from the basic idea of something unbroken and often straight. It might be the line you wait in at the market, or just a connection of two points.
The original meaning of line came from the Latin word linea, or “linen thread.” Your career is also your "line of work." Since you're an engineer, you might say "that's not in my line" if you are asked to bake a cake. A "pick-up line" is something you might hear from a person at a party who's flirting with you. It will probably be corny.
Definitions of line
-
a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point
-
types:
- show 52 types...
- hide 52 types...
-
curve
a line on a graph representing data
-
curve, curved shape
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
-
straight line
a line traced by a point traveling in a constant direction; a line of zero curvature
-
geodesic, geodesic line
(mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere)
-
perimeter
a line enclosing a plane area
-
center line, centerline
a line that bisects a plane figure
-
bound, boundary, edge
a line determining the limits of an area
-
segment
the part of a line between any two points
-
Gaussian curve, Gaussian shape, bell-shaped curve, normal curve
a symmetrical curve representing the normal distribution
-
regression curve, regression line
a smooth curve fitted to the set of paired data in regression analysis; for linear regression the curve is a straight line
-
meander
a bend or curve, as in a stream or river
-
closed curve
a curve (such as a circle) having no endpoints
-
S-shape
a double curve resembling the letter S
-
catenary
the curve theoretically assumed by a perfectly flexible and inextensible cord of uniform density and cross section hanging freely from two fixed points
-
Cupid's bow
the double curve of the upper lip when considered to resemble Cupid's bow
-
undulation, wave
an undulating curve
-
extrados
the exterior curve of an arch
-
gooseneck
something in a thin curved form (like the neck of a goose)
-
intrados
the interior curve of an arch
-
bend, crook, turn, twist
a circular segment of a curve
-
crotchet, hook
a sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook
-
envelope
a curve that is tangent to each of a family of curves
-
perpendicular
a straight line at right angles to another line
-
asymptote
a straight line that is the limiting value of a curve; can be considered as tangent at infinity
-
tangent
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at only one point
-
secant
a straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points
-
radius
a straight line from the center to the perimeter of a circle (or from the center to the surface of a sphere)
-
diameter
a straight line connecting the center of a circle with two points on its perimeter (or the center of a sphere with two points on its surface)
-
arc
a continuous portion of a circle
-
crenation, crenature, crenel, crenelle, scallop
one of a series of rounded projections (or the notches between them) formed by curves along an edge (as the edge of a leaf or piece of cloth or the margin of a shell or a shriveled red blood cell observed in a hypertonic solution etc.)
-
chord
a straight line connecting two points on a curve
-
spiral
a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center
-
helix, spiral
a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
-
perversion
a curve that reverses the direction of something
-
element
a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone
-
sinuosity, sinuousness
having curves
-
arch
a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
-
bell, bell shape, campana
the shape of a bell
-
arc, bow
something curved in shape
-
crescent
a curved shape tapers at the ends, like the moon in its first and last quarters
-
rim
the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
-
quadric, quadric surface
a curve or surface whose equation (in Cartesian coordinates) is of the second degree
-
border, margin, perimeter
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
-
fringe, outer boundary, periphery
the outside boundary or surface of something
-
brink, threshold, verge
a region marking a boundary
-
upper bound
(mathematics) a number equal to or greater than any other number in a given set
-
lower bound
(mathematics) a number equal to or less than any other number in a given set
-
bias, diagonal
a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric
-
diagonal
(geometry) a straight line connecting any two vertices of a polygon that are not adjacent
-
line roulette, roulette
a line generated by a point on one figure rolling around a second figure
-
thalweg
the middle of the chief navigable channel of a waterway that forms the boundary line between states
-
vector
a straight line segment whose length is magnitude and whose orientation in space is direction
-
a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
-
types:
- show 85 types...
- hide 85 types...
-
part, parting
a line of scalp that can be seen when sections of hair are combed in opposite directions
-
axis
a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
-
aclinic line, magnetic equator
an imaginary line paralleling the equator where a magnetic needle has no dip
-
agonic line
an imaginary line connecting points on the Earth's surface where the magnetic declination is zero
-
isogonal line, isogone, isogonic line
an imaginary line connecting points on the Earth's surface where the magnetic declination is the same
-
crest
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
-
timber line, timberline, tree line
line marking the upper limit of tree growth in mountains or northern latitudes
-
snow line
the line on a mountain above which there is perpetual snow and ice
-
fault line
(geology) line determined by the intersection of a geological fault and the earth's surface
-
great circle
a circular line on the surface of a sphere formed by intersecting it with a plane passing through the center
-
hemline
the line formed by the lower edge of a skirt or coat
-
hipline
the line formed by the lower edge of hip-length garment
-
hipline
the line formed by measuring the hip at its greatest part
-
apparent horizon, horizon, sensible horizon, skyline, visible horizon
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
-
isarithm, isogram, isopleth
a line drawn on a map connecting points having the same numerical value of some variable
-
flight line
place where airplanes are parked and the maintenance hangars (but not the runways or taxiways)
-
line of sight, line of vision
an imaginary straight line along which an observer looks
-
latitude, line of latitude, parallel, parallel of latitude
an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
-
lunar latitude
an imaginary line around the moon parallel to its equator
-
itinerary, path, route
an established line of travel or access
-
quadrant, quarter-circle
a quarter of the circumference of a circle
-
loxodrome, rhumb, rhumb line
a line on a sphere that cuts all meridians at the same angle; the path taken by a ship or plane that maintains a constant compass direction
-
danger line
a line beyond which it is dangerous to go
-
side
a line segment forming part of the perimeter of a plane figure
-
water level, water line, waterline
a line corresponding to the surface of the water when the vessel is afloat on an even keel; often painted on the hull of a ship
-
water line, watermark
a line marking the level reached by a body of water
-
divide, water parting, watershed
a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
-
course, path, track
a line or route along which something travels or moves
-
field line, line of force
an imaginary line in a field of force; direction of the line at any point is the direction of the force at that point
-
feeder line
a branching path off of a main transportation line (especially an airline)
-
main line
the principal route of a transportation system
-
data track, track
(computer science) one of the circular magnetic paths on a magnetic disk that serve as a guide for writing and reading data
-
coordinate axis
one of the fixed reference lines of a coordinate system
-
major axis
the longest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid; passes through the two foci
-
semimajor axis
one-half the major axis of an ellipse; the distance from the center of an ellipse to one end
-
minor axis
the shorter or shortest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid
-
semiminor axis
one-half the minor axis of an ellipse
-
optic axis, principal axis
a line that passes through the center of curvature of a lens so that light is neither reflected nor refracted
-
optic axis
in a doubly refracting crystal, the line in the direction of which no double refraction occurs
-
air lane, airway, flight path, skyway
a designated route followed by airplanes in flying from one airport to another
-
approach pattern, pattern, traffic pattern
the path that is prescribed for an airplane that is preparing to land at an airport
-
flight path
the path of a rocket or projectile or aircraft through the air
-
polar circle
a line of latitude at the north or south poles
-
beat, round
a regular route for a sentry, police officer, or reporter
-
bus route
the route regularly followed by a passenger bus
-
celestial equator, equinoctial, equinoctial circle, equinoctial line
the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles
-
ecliptic
the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator
-
equator
an imaginary line around the Earth forming the great circle that is equidistant from the north and south poles
-
celestial horizon, horizon
the great circle on the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the sensible horizon and the center of the Earth
-
horse latitude
either of two belts or regions near 30 degrees north or 30 degrees south; characterized by calms and light-baffling winds
-
hour circle
a great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through both celestial poles
-
isobar
(meteorology)an isogram connecting points having equal barometric pressure at a given time
-
isochrone
an isogram connecting points at which something occurs or arrives at the same time
-
isoclinal, isoclinic line
an isogram connecting points of equal magnetic inclination
-
isohel
an isogram connecting points receiving equal amounts of sunshine
-
isotherm
(meteorology) an isogram connecting points having the same temperature at a given time
-
line of flight
the path along which a freely moving object travels through the air
-
line of march
the route along which a column advances
-
Plimsoll, Plimsoll line, Plimsoll mark, load line
waterlines to show the level the water should reach when the ship is properly loaded
-
line of longitude, meridian
an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
-
celestial orbit, orbit
the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another
-
electron orbit, orbit
the path of an electron around the nucleus of an atom
-
paper round, paper route
the route taken when delivering newspapers every day
-
beeline
the most direct route
-
circuit
an established itinerary of venues or events that a particular group of people travel to
-
crosscut
a diagonal path
-
supply line, supply route
a route over which supplies can be delivered
-
line of fire
the path of a missile discharged from a firearm
-
flyway, migration route
the geographic route along which birds customarily migrate
-
fairway
the usual course taken by vessels through a harbor or coastal waters
-
tropic
either of two parallels of latitude about 23.5 degrees to the north and south of the equator representing the points farthest north and south at which the sun can shine directly overhead and constituting the boundaries of the Torrid Zone or tropics
-
vertical circle
a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and perpendicular to the horizon
-
high-water mark
a line marking the highest level reached
-
low-water mark
a line marking the lowest level reached
-
continental divide
the watershed of a continent (especially the watershed of North America formed by a series of mountain ridges extending from Alaska to Mexico)
-
direction, way
a line leading to a place or point
-
trade route
a route followed by traders (usually in caravans)
-
collision course
a course of a moving object that will lead to a collision if it continues unchanged
-
inside track
the inner side of a curved racecourse
-
round
the course along which communications spread
-
steps
the course along which a person has walked or is walking in
-
belt, swath
a path or strip (as cut by one course of mowing)
-
trail
a track or mark left by something that has passed
-
electrical line of force
a line of force in an electrical field
-
magnetic line of force
a line of force in a magnetic field
-
type of:
-
location
a point or extent in space
-
a mark that is long relative to its width“He drew a line on the chart”
-
types:
- show 20 types...
- hide 20 types...
-
cross hair, cross wire
either of two fine mutually perpendicular lines that cross in the focus plane of an optical instrument and are use for sighting or calibration
-
dotted line
a line made up of dots or dashes; often used to indicate where you are supposed to sign a contract
-
ascender
(printing) the part of tall lowercase letters that extends above the other lowercase letters
-
bar line
a vertical line before the accented beat marking the boundary between musical bars
-
descender
(printing) the part of lowercase letters that extends below the other lowercase letters
-
curlicue, squiggle
a short twisting line
-
spectrum line
an isolated component of a spectrum formed by radiation at a uniform frequency
-
trend line
a line on a graph indicating a statistical trend
-
isometric, isometric line
a line connecting isometric points
-
graduation
a line (as on a vessel or ruler) that marks a measurement
-
guideline
a light line that is used in lettering to help align the letters
-
hairline
a very thin line
-
shaft
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
-
serif, seriph
a short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
-
staff line
any of the 5 horizontal marks comprising a staff
-
ledger line, leger line
a short line; a notation for extending the range above or below the staff
-
contour, contour line
a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
-
hair stroke
a very fine line in writing or printing
-
double bar
notation marking the end of principal parts of a musical composition; two adjacent bar lines
-
fine structure
the presence of groups of closely spaced spectrum lines observed in the atomic spectrum of certain elements
-
a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum
-
type of:
-
electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, nonparticulate radiation
radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge
-
electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, nonparticulate radiation
-
a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
-
synonyms:
cable, transmission line
-
types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
-
coax, coax cable, coaxial cable
a transmission line for high-frequency signals
-
electrical cable
a cable that provides an electrical connection for telephone or television or power stations
-
fiber optic cable, fibre optic cable
a cable made of optical fibers that can transmit large amounts of information at the speed of light
-
power cable, power line
cable used to distribute electricity
-
printer cable
a cable between a computer and a printer
-
ethernet cable
any of several types of coaxial cable used in ethernets
-
type of:
-
conductor
a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
-
something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible“a washing line”
-
types:
- show 64 types...
- hide 64 types...
-
becket
(nautical) a short line with an eye at one end and a knot at the other; used to secure loose items on a ship
-
cord
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
-
laniard, lanyard
(nautical) a line used for extending or fastening rigging on ships
-
lifeline
line thrown from a vessel that people can cling to in order to save themselves from drowning
-
lifeline
line that raises or lowers a deep-sea diver
-
mooring, mooring line
(nautical) a line that holds an object (especially a boat) in place
-
painter
a line that is attached to the bow of a boat and used for tying up (as when docking or towing)
-
ratlin, ratline
(nautical) a small horizontal rope between the shrouds of a sailing ship; they form a ladder for climbing aloft
-
rope
a strong line
-
mainsheet, sheet, shroud, tack, weather sheet
(nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
-
shroud
a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
-
strand
line consisting of a complex of fibers or filaments that are twisted together to form a thread or a rope or a cable
-
towing line, towing rope, towline, towrope
(nautical) a rope used in towing
-
trace
either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree
-
agal
a cord (usually of goat's hair) that Arabs (especially Bedouins) wind around their heads to hold down the kaffiyeh
-
apron string
(usually used in the plural) a cord used to tie an apron at the waist
-
bola
a rope with weights attached to the ends; is thrown to entangle the legs of an animal; of South American origin
-
bowstring
the string of an archer's bow
-
brace
a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it
-
brail
a small rope (one of several) used to draw a sail in
-
bungee, bungee cord
an elasticized rope
-
cable
a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
-
catgut, gut
a strong cord made from the intestines of sheep and used in surgery
-
chenille, chenille cord
a soft tufted cord used in embroidery
-
clews
the cords used to suspend a hammock
-
clothesline
a cord on which clothes are hung to dry
-
cordage
the ropes in the rigging of a ship
-
fishing line
a length of cord to which the leader and float and sinker and hook are attached
-
futtock shroud
shroud that is part of a ship's rigging
-
guide rope
a rope used to guide the movement of the load of a crane
-
halliard, halyard
a rope for raising or lowering a sail or flag
-
halter, hangman's halter, hangman's rope, hemp, hempen necktie
a rope that is used by a hangman to execute persons who have been condemned to death by hanging
-
harpoon line
a strong rope for making the catch fast to the harpooner's boat
-
hawser
large heavy rope for nautical use
-
headfast
a mooring line that secures the bow of a boat or ship to a wharf
-
jump rope, skip rope, skipping rope
a length of rope (usually with handles on each end) that is swung around while someone jumps over it
-
lace, lacing
a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
-
laniard, lanyard
a cord worn around the neck to hold a knife or whistle
-
laniard, lanyard
a cord with an attached hook that is used to fire certain types of cannon
-
lashing
rope that is used for fastening something to something else
-
lariat, lasso, reata, riata
a long noosed rope used to catch animals
-
log line
a knotted cord that runs out from a reel to a piece of wood that is attached to it
-
piping
a thin strip of covered cord used to edge hems
-
perpendicular, plumb line
a cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point
-
ply
one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination
-
prolonge
a rope fitted with a hook and used for towing a gun carriage
-
ridge rope
either of a pair of lifelines running alongside the bowsprit of a ship
-
ripcord
a cord that is pulled to open a parachute from its pack during a descent
-
ripcord
a cord that is pulled to open the gasbag of a balloon wide enough to release gas and so causes the balloon to descend
-
rope yarn
the strands out of which ropes are made
-
sash cord, sash line
a strong cord connecting a sash weight to a sliding sash
-
slack
a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely
-
small stuff
any light rope used on shipboard
-
static line
a cord used instead of a ripcord to open a parachute; the cord is attached at one end to the aircraft and temporarily attached to the pack of a parachute at the other; it opens the parachute after the jumper is clear of the plane
-
string, twine
a lightweight cord
-
string
a tightly stretched cord of wire or gut, which makes sound when plucked, struck, or bowed
-
thread, yarn
a fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton or silk or wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving
-
tie
a cord (or string or ribbon or wire etc.) with which something is tied
-
tier
something that is used for tying
-
tightrope
tightly stretched rope or wire on which acrobats perform high above the ground
-
trip line
a light rope used in lumbering to free a dog hook from a log at a distance
-
whipcord
closely twisted hard cord used for the lashes of whips
-
taper, wick
a loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
-
wick
any piece of cord that conveys liquid by capillary action
-
a telephone connection
-
synonyms:
phone line, subscriber line, telephone circuit, telephone line
-
types:
- show 8 types...
- hide 8 types...
-
DSL, digital subscriber line
a generic name for digital lines that are provided by telephone companies to their local subscribers and that carry data at high speeds
-
hot line
a direct telephone line between two officials
-
land line, landline
a telephone line that travels over terrestrial circuits
-
party line
a telephone line serving two or more subscribers
-
private line
a telephone line serving a single subscriber
-
toll line
a telephone line for long-distance calls
-
trunk line
a telephone line connecting two exchanges directly
-
WATS, WATS line
a telephone line;long distance service at fixed rates for fixed zones; an acronym for wide area telephone service
-
type of:
-
connecter, connection, connective, connector, connexion
an instrumentality that connects
-
(often plural) a means of communication or access“lines of communication were set up between the two firms”
-
synonyms:
channel, communication channel
-
types:
- show 4 types...
- hide 4 types...
-
back channel
an alternative to the regular channels of communication that is used when agreements must be made secretly (especially in diplomacy or government)
-
lens
(metaphor) a channel through which something can be seen or understood
-
contact, inter-group communication, liaison, link
a channel for communication between groups
-
line of gab, patter, spiel
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
-
type of:
-
communicating, communication
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
-
a pipe used to transport liquids or gases
-
synonyms:
pipeline
-
examples:
-
trans-Alaska pipeline
an oil pipeline that runs 800 miles from wells at Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez
-
types:
-
gas line
a pipeline used to transport natural gas
-
oil pipeline
a pipeline used to transport oil
-
trans-Alaska pipeline
-
the road consisting of railroad track and roadbed
-
synonyms:
rail line, railway line
-
types:
-
branch line, spur, spur track
a railway line connected to a trunk line
-
trunk line, trunk route
line that is the main route on a railway
-
loop-line
a railway branch line that branches from the trunk line and then rejoins it later on
-
branch line, spur, spur track
-
a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface“his face has many lines”
-
types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
-
crow's feet, crow's foot, laugh line
a wrinkle in the skin at the outer corner of your eyes
-
dermatoglyphic
the lines that form patterns on the skin (especially on the fingertips and the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet)
-
frown line
a facial wrinkle associated with frowning
-
life line, lifeline, line of life
a crease on the palm; its length is said by palmists to indicate how long you will live
-
heart line, line of heart, love line, mensal line
a crease on the palm; palmists say it indicates your emotional nature
-
line of Saturn, line of destiny, line of fate
a crease on the palm; palmists say it indicates how successful you will be
-
type of:
-
depression, impression, imprint
a concavity in a surface produced by pressing
-
in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area
-
types:
- show 16 types...
- hide 16 types...
-
balkline, baulk-line, string line
line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game
-
finish line, finishing line
a line indicating the location of the finish of a race
-
foul line
lines through 1st and 3rd base indicating the boundaries of a baseball field
-
foul line
a line across a bowling alley that a bowler must not cross
-
foul line
a line from which basketball players take penalty shots
-
baseline
the lines a baseball player must follow while running the bases
-
goal line
a line marking each end of the playing field or pitch; where the goals stand
-
red line
a line that is colored red and that bisects an ice hockey rink
-
line of scrimmage, scrimmage line
line parallel to the goal lines where football linesmen line up at the start of each play in American football
-
baseline, service line
the back line bounding each end of a tennis or handball court; when serving the server must not step over this line
-
out of bounds, sideline
a line that marks the side boundary of a playing field
-
scratch, scratch line, start, starting line
a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
-
yard line
in football; line parallel to the goal lines indicating position on the field
-
touchline
either of the sidelines in soccer or rugby
-
tape
the finishing line for a foot race
-
wire
the finishing line on a racetrack
-
the maximum credit that a customer is allowed
-
types:
- show 4 types...
- hide 4 types...
-
consumer credit
a line of credit extended for personal or household use
-
equity credit line, home equity credit, home equity loan, home loan
a loan secured by equity value in the borrower's home
-
installment credit, installment loan
a loan repaid with interest in equal periodic payments
-
charge account credit, open-end credit, revolving credit
a consumer credit line that can be used up to a certain limit or paid down at any time
-
type of:
-
credit
money available for a client to borrow
-
a conceptual separation or distinction“there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity”
-
synonyms:
contrast, demarcation, dividing line
-
types:
-
Rubicon, point of no return
a line that when crossed permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment
-
type of:
-
differentiation, distinction
a discrimination between things as different and distinct
-
Rubicon, point of no return
-
make a mark or lines on a surface
-
draw
engage in drawing
-
draw
represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface
-
types:
- show 17 types...
- hide 17 types...
-
construct
draw with suitable instruments and under specified conditions
-
inscribe
draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible
-
circumscribe
draw a line around
-
circumscribe
draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect
-
write
mark or trace on a surface
-
dot
make a dot or dots
-
stenograph
write in shorthand
-
calligraph
write beautifully and ornamentally
-
cross
trace a line through or across
-
superscribe
write on the outside or upper part of
-
superscribe
write on the top or outside
-
capitalise, capitalize
write in capital letters
-
letter
mark letters on or mark with letters
-
print
write as if with print; not cursive
-
scrawl, scribble
write carelessly
-
copy
copy down as is
-
impress, print
reproduce by printing
-
type of:
-
mark
make or leave a mark on
-
draw
-
mark with lines
-
a formation of people or things one beside another“the line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed”“they were arrayed in line of battle”“the cast stood in line for the curtain call”
-
types:
- show 12 types...
- hide 12 types...
-
rivet line
a line of rivets at a seam
-
chorus, chorus line
a body of dancers or singers who perform together
-
diagonal
an oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard
-
linemen
the football players who line up on the line of scrimmage
-
lineup
a line of persons arranged by police for inspection or identification
-
row
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
-
rank
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
-
corps de ballet, ensemble
the chorus of a ballet company
-
main diagonal, principal diagonal
the diagonal of a square matrix running from the upper left entry to the lower right entry
-
secondary diagonal
the diagonal of a square matrix running from the lower left entry to the upper right entry
-
serration
a row of notches
-
terrace
a row of houses built in a similar style and having common dividing walls (or the street on which they face)
-
type of:
-
formation
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
-
a formation of people or things one behind another“the line stretched clear around the corner”“you must wait in a long line at the checkout counter”
-
types:
- show 19 types...
- hide 19 types...
-
diagonal
an oblique line of squares of the same color on a checkerboard
-
Indian file, file, single file
a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other
-
line of march
the arrangement of people in a line for marching
-
line of succession
the order in which individuals are expected to succeed one another in some official position
-
picket line
a line of people acting as pickets
-
conga line
a line of people in single file performing the conga dance
-
trap line
a line or series of traps
-
queue, waiting line
a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
-
main diagonal, principal diagonal
the diagonal of a square matrix running from the upper left entry to the lower right entry
-
secondary diagonal
the diagonal of a square matrix running from the lower left entry to the upper right entry
-
snake dance
a group advancing in a single-file serpentine path
-
column
a line of units following one after another
-
bread line, breadline
a queue of people waiting for free food
-
checkout line
a queue of people waiting to pay for purchases
-
chow line
a queue of people waiting for food to be served (especially at a military camp)
-
gas line
a queue of vehicles waiting to purchase gasoline
-
reception line
a line of people (hosts and guests of honor) who welcome the guests at a reception party
-
ticket line
a queue of people waiting to buy tickets
-
unemployment line
a queue of people waiting for employment
-
type of:
-
formation
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
-
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
-
synonyms:
air, melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, strain, tune
-
types:
- show 17 types...
- hide 17 types...
-
fanfare, flourish, tucket
(music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
-
glissando
a rapid series of ascending or descending notes on the musical scale
-
roulade
(music) an elaborate run of several notes sung to one syllable
-
leitmotif, leitmotiv
a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner's operas)
-
theme song
a melody that recurs and comes to represent a musical play or movie
-
signature, signature tune, theme song
a melody used to identify a performer or a dance band or radio/tv program
-
idea, melodic theme, musical theme, theme
(music) melodic subject of a musical composition
-
part, voice
the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music
-
slide, swoop
(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
-
motif, motive
a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
-
statement
(music) the presentation of a musical theme
-
variation
a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished
-
primo
the principal part of a duet (especially a piano duet)
-
secondo
the second or lower part of a duet (especially a piano duet)
-
voice part
a part written for a singer
-
accompaniment, backup, musical accompaniment, support
a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
-
bass, bass part
the lowest part in polyphonic music
-
type of:
-
music
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
-
text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen“the letter consisted of three short lines”“there are six lines in every stanza”
-
types:
- show 35 types...
- hide 35 types...
-
opening line
the first line of a piece of writing (as a newspaper story)
-
head, header, heading
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
-
line of poetry, line of verse
a single line of words in a poem
-
by-line, credit line
a line giving the name of the writer of a story or article
-
dateline
a line at the beginning of a news article giving the date and place of origin of the news dispatch
-
verse, verse line
a line of metrical text
-
gag line, laugh line, punch line, tag line
the point of a joke or humorous story
-
actor's line, speech, words
words making up the dialogue of a play
-
orphan
the first line of a paragraph that is set as the last line of a page or column
-
sound bite
a very short speech; usually on radio or television
-
bottom line
the last line in an audit; the line that shows profit or loss
-
crosshead, crossheading
a heading of a subsection printed within the body of the text
-
headline, newspaper headline
the heading or caption of a newspaper article
-
lemma
the heading that indicates the subject of an annotation or a literary composition or a dictionary entry
-
rubric
a title or heading that is printed in red or in a special type
-
running head, running headline
a heading printed at the top of every page (or every other page) of a book
-
subhead, subheading
a heading of a subdivision of a text
-
rubric, statute title, title
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
-
acatalectic
(prosody) a line of verse that has the full number of syllables
-
Alexandrine
(prosody) a line of verse that has six iambic feet
-
catalectic
(prosody) a line of verse that lacks a syllable in the last metrical foot
-
hypercatalectic
(prosody) a line of poetry having an extra syllable or syllables at the end of the last metrical foot
-
iambic
a verse line consisting of iambs
-
Adonic, Adonic line
a verse line with a dactyl followed by a spondee or trochee; supposedly used in laments by Adonis
-
aside
a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
-
cue
an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
-
monologue
a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor
-
soliloquy
a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections
-
throwaway
words spoken in a casual way with conscious under-emphasis
-
tetrameter
a verse line having four metrical feet
-
pentameter
a verse line having five metrical feet
-
hexameter
a verse line having six metrical feet
-
octameter
a verse line having eight metrical feet
-
octosyllable
a verse line having eight syllables or a poem of octosyllabic lines
-
decasyllable
a verse line having ten syllables
-
type of:
-
text, textual matter
the words of something written
-
space for one line of print (one column wide and 1/14 inch deep) used to measure advertising
-
synonyms:
agate line
-
type of:
-
area unit, square measure
a system of units used to measure areas
-
area unit, square measure
-
a short personal letter“drop me a line when you get there”
-
synonyms:
billet, note, short letter
-
types:
-
excuse
a note explaining an absence
-
type of:
-
personal letter
a letter dealing with personal affairs
-
excuse
-
the descendants of one individual
-
synonyms:
ancestry, blood, blood line, bloodline, descent, line of descent, lineage, origin, parentage, pedigree, stemma, stock
-
types:
- show 7 types...
- hide 7 types...
-
family, family line, folk, kinfolk, kinsfolk, phratry, sept
people descended from a common ancestor
-
side
a family line of descent
-
people
members of a family line
-
homefolk
the people of your home locality (especially your own family)
-
house
aristocratic family line
-
dynasty
a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family
-
gens, name
family based on male descent
-
type of:
-
family tree, genealogy
successive generations of kin
-
a fortified position (especially one marking the most forward position of troops)“they attacked the enemy's line”
-
types:
- show 4 types...
- hide 4 types...
-
firing line
the line from which soldiers deliver fire
-
battlefront, front, front line
the line along which opposing armies face each other
-
line of battle
a line formed by troops or ships prepared to deliver or receive an attack
-
battle line
the line along which warring troops meet
-
type of:
-
military position, position
a point occupied by troops for tactical reasons
-
be in line with; form a line along
-
a connected series of events or actions or developments
-
a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning“I can't follow your line of reasoning”
-
synonyms:
argument, argumentation, line of reasoning, logical argument
-
types:
- show 16 types...
- hide 16 types...
-
line of inquiry, line of questioning
an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument
-
casuistry
argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading
-
policy
a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government
-
clericalism
a policy of supporting the influence and power of the clergy in secular or political matters
-
plank
an endorsed policy in the platform of a political party
-
economic policy
a government policy for maintaining economic growth and tax revenues
-
social policy
a policy of for dealing with social issues
-
party line
the policy of a political group
-
foreign policy
a policy governing international relations
-
zero-tolerance policy
any policy that allows no exception
-
Zionism
a policy for establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine
-
appeasement
a policy of pacifying an enemy or potential enemy by making concessions
-
austerity
a policy of drastically reducing government spending
-
nativism
a policy of favoring native-born inhabitants of a country rather than immigrants
-
doctrine
a stated government policy, especially one dealing with foreign relations or military strategy
-
scorched-earth policy
the military policy of destroying property and resources so that an advancing enemy cannot use them
-
type of:
-
abstract thought, logical thinking, reasoning
thinking that is coherent and logical
-
persuasive but insincere talk that is usually intended to deceive or impress“`let me show you my etchings' is a rather worn line”“he has a smooth line but I didn't fall for it”“that salesman must have practiced his fast line of talk”
-
type of:
-
persuasion, suasion
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
-
persuasion, suasion
-
acting in conformity“in line with”“he got out of line”“toe the line”
-
type of:
-
abidance, compliance, conformation, conformity
acting according to certain accepted standards
-
abidance, compliance, conformation, conformity
-
mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it
-
synonyms:
assembly line, production line
-
type of:
-
mechanical system
a system of elements that interact on mechanical principles
-
mechanical system
-
a commercial organization serving as a common carrier
-
types:
- show 14 types...
- hide 14 types...
-
airline, airline business, airway
a commercial enterprise that provides scheduled flights for passengers
-
railroad, railroad line, railway, railway line, railway system
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
-
steamship company, steamship line
a line responsible for the operation of a fleet of steamships
-
transit line
a line providing public transit
-
bus line
an organization responsible for operating a bus transportation system
-
cable railway, funicular, funicular railway
a railway up the side of a mountain pulled by a moving cable and having counterbalancing ascending and descending cars
-
cog railway, rack railway
railway for steep mountains; a cogwheel on the locomotive engages cogs on a center rail to provide traction
-
el, elevated, elevated railroad, elevated railway, overhead railway
a railway that is powered by electricity and that runs on a track that is raised above the street level
-
metro, subway, subway system, tube, underground
an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)
-
monorail
a railway having a single track
-
rail
short for railway
-
scenic railway
small railway in an amusement park
-
trolley line
a transit line using streetcars or trolley buses
-
fleet
a group of steamships operating together under the same ownership
-
type of:
-
carrier, common carrier
a person or firm in the business of transporting people or goods or messages
-
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
-
synonyms:
business, job, line of work, occupation
-
types:
- show 187 types...
- hide 187 types...
-
confectionery
the occupation and skills of a confectioner
-
sport
the occupation of athletes who compete for pay
-
farming, land
agriculture considered as an occupation or way of life
-
biz, game
your occupation or line of work
-
calling, career, vocation
the particular occupation for which you are trained
-
employment, work
the occupation for which you are paid
-
appointment
the job to which you are (or hope to be) appointed
-
berth, billet, office, place, position, post, situation, spot
a job in an organization
-
salt mine, treadmill
a job involving drudgery and confinement
-
craft, trade
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
-
profession
an occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)
-
medium, metier
an occupation for which you are especially well suited
-
accountancy, accounting
the occupation of maintaining and auditing records and preparing financial reports for a business
-
photography
the occupation of taking and printing photographs or making movies
-
catering
providing food and services
-
gig
a job, especially a temporary job
-
coaching, coaching job
the job of a professional coach
-
booking, engagement
employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time
-
ministry
the work of a minister of religion
-
navigation, sailing, seafaring
the work of a sailor
-
professional boxing
boxing for money
-
professional wrestling
wrestling for money
-
sumo
a Japanese form of wrestling; you lose if you are forced out of a small ring or if any part of your body (other than your feet) touches the ground
-
professional golf
playing golf for money
-
professional football
football played for pay
-
professional baseball
playing baseball for money
-
professional basketball
playing basketball for money
-
professional tennis
playing tennis for money
-
work load, workload
work that a person is expected to do in a specified time
-
piecework
work paid for according to the quantity produced
-
specialisation, specialism, speciality, specialization, specialty
the special line of work you have adopted as your career
-
lifework
the principal work of your career
-
walk, walk of life
careers in general
-
service
employment in or work for another
-
telecommuting, teleworking
employment at home while communicating with the workplace by phone or fax or modem
-
services
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
-
public service
employment within a government system (especially in the civil service)
-
academicianship
the position of member of an honorary academy
-
accountantship
the position of accountant
-
admiralty
the office of admiral
-
ambassadorship
the post of ambassador
-
apostleship
the position of apostle
-
apprenticeship, internship
the position of apprentice
-
associateship
the position of associate (as in an office or academy)
-
attorneyship
the position of attorney
-
bailiffship
the office of bailiff
-
baronetage
the state of a baronet
-
bishopry, episcopate
the office and dignity of a bishop
-
cadetship
the position of cadet
-
caliphate
the office of a caliph
-
captaincy, captainship
the post of captain
-
cardinalship
the office of cardinal
-
chairmanship
the position of chairman
-
chancellorship
the office of chancellor
-
chaplaincy, chaplainship
the position of chaplain
-
chieftaincy, chieftainship
the position of chieftain
-
clerkship
the job of clerk
-
commandership, commandery
the position or office of commander
-
comptrollership
the position of comptroller
-
consulship
the post of consul
-
controllership
the position of controller
-
councillorship, councilorship
the position of council member
-
counsellorship, counselorship
the position of counselor
-
curacy
the position of a curate
-
curatorship
the position of curator
-
custodianship
the position of custodian
-
deanery, deanship
the position or office of a dean
-
directorship
the position of a director of a business concern
-
discipleship
the position of disciple
-
editorship
the position of editor
-
eldership
the office of elder
-
emirate
the office of an emir
-
fatherhood
the status of a father
-
fatherhood
the status of a religious leader
-
foremanship
the position of foreman
-
generalcy, generalship
the office and authority of a general
-
governorship
the office of governor
-
headship
the position of head
-
headship
the position of headmaster or headmistress
-
hot seat
a difficult position where you are subjected to stress and criticism
-
incumbency
the office of an incumbent
-
inspectorship
the office of inspector
-
instructorship
the position of instructor
-
internship
the position of a medical intern
-
judgeship, judicature
the position of judge
-
khanate
the position of a khan
-
lectureship
the post of lecturer
-
legateship, legation
the post or office of legate
-
legislatorship
the office of legislator
-
librarianship
the position of librarian
-
lieutenancy
the position of a lieutenant
-
magistracy, magistrature
the position of magistrate
-
managership
the position of manager
-
manhood
the status of being a man
-
marshalship
the post of marshall
-
mastership
the position of master
-
mayoralty
the position of mayor
-
messiahship
the position of messiah
-
moderatorship
the position of moderator
-
overlordship
the position of overlord
-
pastorate, pastorship
the position of pastor
-
peasanthood
the state of being a peasant
-
plum
a highly desirable position or assignment
-
praetorship
the office of praetor
-
precentorship
the position of precentor
-
preceptorship
the position of preceptor
-
prefecture
the office of prefect
-
prelacy, prelature
the office or station of a prelate
-
premiership
the office of premier
-
presidency, presidentship
the office and function of president
-
primateship
the office of primate
-
principalship
the post of principal
-
priorship
the office of prior
-
proconsulate, proconsulship
the position of proconsul
-
proctorship
the position of proctor
-
chair, professorship
the position of professor
-
protectorship
the position of protector
-
public office
a position concerning the people as a whole
-
rabbinate
the office or function of a rabbi
-
receivership
the office of a receiver
-
rectorate, rectorship
the office or station of a rector
-
regency
the office of a regent
-
residency
the position of physician who is receiving special training in a hospital (usually after completing an internship)
-
rulership
the position of ruler
-
sainthood
the status and dignity of a saint
-
secretaryship
the position of secretary
-
feudal lordship, seigneury, seigniory
the position and authority of a feudal lord
-
senatorship
the office of senator
-
sinecure
an office that involves minimal duties
-
solicitorship
the position of solicitor
-
speakership
the position of Speaker
-
stewardship
the position of steward
-
studentship
the position of student
-
teachership
the position of teacher
-
thaneship
the position of thane
-
throne
the position and power of an exalted person (a sovereign or bishop) who is entitled to sit in a chair of state on ceremonial occasions
-
treasurership
the position of treasurer
-
tribuneship
the position of tribune
-
trusteeship
the position of trustee
-
vice-presidency
the office and function of a vice president
-
viceroyship
the position of viceroy
-
viziership
the position of vizier
-
wardenship
the position of warden
-
wardership
the position of warder
-
womanhood
the status of a woman
-
business life, professional life
a career in industrial or commercial or professional activities
-
airplane mechanics
the craft of building and repairing airplanes
-
auto mechanics
the craft of building and repairing automobiles
-
basketry
the craft of basket making
-
carpentry, woodwork, woodworking
the craft of a carpenter: making things out of wood
-
drafting, mechanical drawing
the craft of drawing blueprints
-
dressmaking
the craft of making dresses
-
electrical work
the craft of an electrician
-
interior decoration, interior design
the trade of planning the layout and furnishings of an architectural interior
-
lumbering
the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber
-
masonry
the craft of a mason
-
oculism
the craft of an oculist
-
house painting, painting
the occupation of a house painter
-
papermaking
the craft of making paper
-
pilotage, piloting
the occupation of a pilot
-
plumbery, plumbing
the occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building)
-
pottery
the craft of making earthenware
-
learned profession
one of the three professions traditionally believed to require advanced learning and high principles
-
literature
the profession or art of a writer
-
architecture
the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their esthetic effect
-
education
the profession of teaching (especially at a school or college or university)
-
journalism
the profession of reporting or photographing or editing news stories for one of the media
-
politics
the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
-
pyrotechnics, pyrotechny
the craft of making fireworks
-
cobbling, shoe repairing, shoemaking
the shoemaker's trade
-
roofing
the craft of a roofer
-
sheet-metal work
the craft of doing sheet metal work (as in ventilation systems)
-
shingling
the laying on of shingles
-
tailoring
the occupation of a tailor
-
tool-and-die work
the craft of making special tools and dies
-
cost accounting
keeping account of the costs of items in production
-
bookkeeping, clerking
the activity of recording business transactions
-
inventory accounting
accounting that controls and evaluates inventory
-
handicraft
a craft that requires skillful hands
-
paper route
the job of delivering newspapers regularly
-
mintage
act or process of minting coins
-
tanning
making leather from rawhide
-
engineering, technology
the practical application of science to commerce or industry
-
typography
the craft of composing type and printing from it
-
undertaking
the trade of a funeral director
-
upholstery
the craft of upholstering
-
wine making, winemaking
the craft and science of growing grapes and making wine
-
type of:
-
activity
any specific behavior
-
a particular kind of product or merchandise“a nice line of shoes”
-
types:
-
sideline
an auxiliary line of merchandise
-
type of:
-
merchandise, product, ware
commodities offered for sale
-
sideline
-
reinforce with fabric
-
cover the interior of“line the gloves”“line a chimney”
-
types:
- show 5 types...
- hide 5 types...
-
reline
provide with a new lining
-
face
line the edge (of a garment) with a different material
-
crib
line with beams or planks
-
babbitt
line with a Babbitt metal
-
reface
put a new facing on (a garment)
-
type of:
-
cover
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
-
fill plentifully
Pronunciation
US
/laɪn/
UK
/laɪn/
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 ‘line'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Look up line for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
