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line

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noun

/laɪn/

singular	line
plural	lines

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

1
[countable] a long thin mark on the surface of something
Draw a straight line.
Each horizontal line on the graph represents fifteen minutes.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  a long thin mark on the ground used in sports for marking an area in which a match is played, or for showing where a race starts or finishes
  It was hard to tell whether the ball had crossed the line.
  the starting line
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
2. b.
  a long thin mark on a road used for organizing traffic and for showing drivers where they can park
  His only previous conviction is for parking on a double yellow line.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
3. c.
  a thin mark on someone's skin that appears especially as they get older
  There were small lines at the corners of her mouth and around her eyes.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
2
[countable] a border between two regions
the line between Northern Ireland and the Republic
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  an imaginary limit or border between two situations or conditions
  The country is still divided along ethnic lines.
  line between:
  The programme blurs the line between news and entertainment.
  a fine/thin line:
  There is a fine line between resolving the crisis peacefully and giving in to terrorism.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
3
[countable] a telephone connection
My daughter now wants her own phone line in her bedroom.
It's a very bad line – put the phone down and I'll call you back.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  a telephone service
  The advice line is open from 6pm to 10pm on weekdays.
  a chat line
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
4
[countable] a part of a railway system
the London to Brighton line
There are plans to reopen the railway line.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  the long metal bars on which trains travel
  Train services have been cancelled due to repair work on the line.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
5
[countable] [usually singular] a way of thinking, talking, or finding out about something
line of thought:
He impatiently dismissed this line of thought.
line of argument:
You also need to develop a persuasive line of argument.
line of enquiry:
What are the main lines of enquiry you intend to pursue?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  an attitude or belief, especially one that is expressed publicly
  take a tough/firm/hard line:
  Environmental groups took a very tough line with the industry.
  line on:
  Forsyth appears to have hardened his line on Europe.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
6
[countable] a series of words written or printed in a row
a line of text
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  [plural] theatre the words that an actor says in a performance
  He forgot his lines.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
2. b.
  [countable] a clever or funny remark
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
3. c.
  [singular] a remark, excuse, or explanation that is not sincere or true
  Don't give me that old line.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
7
[countable] a row of people or things
A line of police stood outside the post office as employees were evacuated.
On the far bank were thick reeds and a line of palm trees.
in a line:
She told the children to walk in a line and not push.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  a row of soldiers, ships, or weapons facing an enemy
  The plane was brought down behind enemy lines.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
2. b.
  mainly American a queue of people waiting for something
  stand in line:
  We stood in line for about an hour to get the tickets.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
8
[countable] the way that communication, authority, or responsibility is shared between people in an organization
We want to open up lines of communication and provide more information.
The organization's problems were caused by a lack of clear reporting lines.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
9
[countable] a company that provides a transport service
The shipping line is losing money, and the government wants to sell it.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
10
[countable] several products forming a set, for example because they are all of the same type or are all produced by the same company
The company is broadening its product lines to attract more buyers.
a new line of perfume
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
11
[countable] a piece of string, rope, or wire used for a particular purpose
a washing line
Heavy snow brought down power lines.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
12
[countable] the direction or path along which someone or something moves or looks
He was so drunk he couldn't walk in a straight line.
Deep snow is blocking the mountain roads that serve as supply lines for the rebels.
line of fire (=the direction in which weapons are fired):
Though there is fighting nearby, the camp is not in the line of fire.
line of vision (=the direction in which someone is looking):
I was standing right in his line of vision.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
13
[countable] an edge that shows the shape of something
Buyers are attracted by the sleek lines of the car.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
14
[countable] music a series of connected musical notes that form a tune
a bass line
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
15
[countable] a series of connected events
This is just the latest in a long line of such scandals.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
1. a.
  a series of connected generations in the same family
  Mr Nelson comes from a long line of carpenters.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
16
[singular] a type of work or area of interest
line of business/work:
What line of business are you in exactly?
in someone's line:
Light novels are more in my line.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
17
[countable] informal a quantity of an illegal drug that is arranged into a line before being taken
a line of cocaine
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line

phrases

along/down the line
at a stage during a process
all along/down the line (=at every stage):
Our supporters have been magnificent all along the line.
somewhere along/down the line (=at some stage):
Somewhere along the line vital information has been withheld.
further along/down the line (=at a later stage):
The judge said compensation would be considered further down the line.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
along similar/different etc lines
in a similar/different etc way
We are all working along similar lines.
along the lines of (=similar to):
Vienna and Berlin were modernist cities, almost along the lines of Chicago.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
be in line for something
to be likely to receive something
Rachel was reported to be in line for the job of team manager.
be first/second/next in line:
He is next in line for promotion.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
bring someone/something into line
to make someone/something similar to another person or thing
The restructuring of the business has brought output and demand into line.
bring someone/something into line with:
The new ruling brings this country into line with the rest of Europe.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
come/get/fall into line
to agree with or become similar to someone or something else
come/get/fall into line with:
It didn't take much pressure to make him fall into line with party policy.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
get a line on something
American informal
to get information about something
I need to get a line on what's really happening.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
in line/out of line with
1. 1
  similar/different to someone or something
  The costs were very much in line with what we expected.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
2. 2
  changing/not changing in the same way as another thing
  Pensioners get an annual increase in line with the cost of living.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
in the line of duty
while working
The police officer was killed in the line of duty.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
lay it on the line
informal
to say something in a direct or honest way, even if this might upset someone
It was time to lay it on the line and tell her the truth about his past.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
on line
connected to, or able to be connected to, a computer system or the Internet
We need every household to be on line within five years.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
See also online
on the line
1. 1
  at risk
  His job could be on the line if results do not improve.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
2. 2
  on the telephone
  We have a caller on the line from California.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
on the right lines
British
generally correct
No, but you're on the right lines.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line
out of line
behaving in a way that other people do not approve of
That comment was way out of line.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of line

This is the British English definition of line. View American English definition of line.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

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line

What are red words?

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phrases

along/down the line

along similar/different etc lines

be in line for something

bring someone/something into line

come/get/fall into line

get a line on something

in line/out of line with

in the line of duty

lay it on the line

on line

on the line

on the right lines

out of line

charticle

Word of the Day

electron

never event