line
Plural
lines
1
a long narrow mark on a surface
- The child scribbled colorful lines on the paper.
- The graffiti artist created beautiful lines on the brick wall.
- The painter added fine lines to create texture in the artwork.
- The road had white lines dividing the lanes.
- The teacher drew a vertical line on the whiteboard.
2
a row of people or things behind each other or next to each other
- The buses were parked in a line at the bus station.
- The children held hands and walked in a line on the field trip.
- The soldiers marched in a disciplined line during the parade.
- The students formed a line outside the classroom.
- There was a long line of customers waiting to buy tickets.
3
the track or route along which a train travels
A line refers to a track or route that a train follows as it moves from one location to another. Train lines are typically made up of a series of connected rails and stations, allowing trains to travel along a set path. These lines can vary in length, from short local routes to long-distance connections between cities.
- The commuter line was delayed by signal problems.
- She took the southbound line to the city.
- Freight runs on a separate industrial line at night.
- Service on the coastal line resumes at six.
- The rail company upgraded the main line.
Synonyms:
4
a telephone connection or service
A line is the physical or digital link that enables a telephone to make and receive calls. It connects the phone to a network, such as a landline system or mobile network, allowing communication between users. A telephone line can be a traditional wired connection, such as a landline, or a wireless connection, such as a mobile phone signal. It is essential for establishing voice communication, and in some cases, may also support other services like Internet access or faxing.
- He dialed the number, and a voice answered on the other end of the line.
- I need to make an important call, but the line is busy.
- Please hold the line, and I'll transfer you to the right department.
- She placed the receiver back on the phone and hung up the line.
- The technician fixed the telephone line so we can make calls again.
5
a formation of people or things one behind another
6
a continuous extent with length but no width or thickness, formed by the path of a moving point
- He followed the line of the horizon with his eyes.
- Smoke traced a pale line across the sky.
- The graph shows a steady upward line over five years.
- The potter's wheel left a spiral line on the clay.
- A bright line of light outlined the roof.
7
a sequence of printed or written letters or characters arranged horizontally to form words
A line refers to a single row of text that extends horizontally across the page. Lines can vary in length and are typically used to organize content in poetry, prose, or any written document. In poetry, the arrangement of lines contributes to the overall rhythm, structure, and visual presentation of the poem. In prose, lines help break up text for readability, making it easier for the reader to follow the narrative or argument. The way lines are formatted can also affect the emphasis and flow of ideas within the text.
- The teacher asked us to copy the first line.
- Please read the second line aloud.
- The poem had four lines on the page.
- She fixed a typo in the top line of the letter.
- He underlined the key line in the contract.
8
a sequence of reasoning intended to demonstrate a truth or falsehood
- His line of argument convinced the panel.
- The lawyer's line of reasoning dismantled their case.
- Follow the professor's line of thought through the chapter.
- She rejected his line of evidence as speculative.
- The editorial adopted a populist line about taxation.
9
a defensive or fortified position, especially representing the foremost point held by troops
- The troops held the line through the night.
- Engineers reinforced the defensive line with sandbags.
- Casualties mounted along the front line.
- Supply wagons rolled up to the line at dawn.
- Command ordered a tactical withdrawal from the southern line.
10
a very narrow range of radiation within a spectrum
- The spectrometer picked up a faint hydrogen line.
- Emission lines revealed the gas composition of the star.
- The lab compared the sample's spectral lines to standards.
- A narrow absorption line showed the molecule's presence.
- Spectral lines allow astronomers to identify elements.
11
a conductor used to transmit electrical power, signals, or optical data
- A broken power line caused a neighborhood blackout.
- The phone line was down after the storm.
- Fiber-optic lines deliver high-speed internet to the building.
- The electrician repaired the live line in the panel.
- They ran a new gas line to the workshop.
Synonyms:
12
a sequence of related events, actions, or developments
- A line of events led from the small error to the full recall.
- Investigators traced a line of contacts linking the suspects.
- The product followed a line of improvements over years.
- A line of precedents supports that court decision.
- That advertising line of campaigns built the brand.
Synonyms:
13
a spatial location defined by a one-dimensional extent, whether real or imaginary
- Stand on the center line for the photo.
- The surveyor marked the property line with stakes.
- The pipeline runs along the county line.
- The blueprint shows a service line parallel to the wall.
- The city painted a bike line on the road.
14
a small crease, fold, or depression in the surface of an object
- A fine line appeared where the tablecloth had been folded.
- Years in the sun left lines in the leather armchair.
- Small lines form around the eyes when you smile.
- The fabric showed tight lines along the seam.
- The iron removed the deep lines from the sheet.
15
a pipe or conduit used to carry liquids or gases from one place to another
- The crew repaired a leak in the gas line.
- Oil flowed through the underground line to the refinery.
- They installed a new water line along the road.
- Steam pressure dropped in the cooling line.
- The irrigation line burst during the heatwave.
Synonyms:
16
behavior or action that conforms to a standard, rule, or expectation
- His decision was in line with company policy.
- The proposal falls in line with the committee's recommendations.
- Their behavior must be in line with local regulations.
- The findings are in line with previous studies.
- Salaries were adjusted to be in line with inflation.
17
the main occupation that a person engages in to earn a living
- Teaching has been her line all her adult life.
- He changed his line from law to medicine.
- Sales is a tough line to succeed in.
- Many people are proud of their chosen line of work.
- That company hires only people experienced in this line.
Synonyms:
18
a cord, rope, or similar object used for tying, pulling, or hanging
- Hang the laundry on the line outside.
- He tied the boat to the dock with a strong line.
- The kite string snapped, and the line flew away.
- Fishing lines tangle easily if not handled carefully.
- The climber secured the rope line before ascending.
Synonyms:
19
the lineage or family line from a specific ancestor
- The family line stretches back to the 1600s.
- They traced their line to a famous king.
- Each line in the genealogy chart represents a generation.
- Her line of descent is well-documented.
- That line has produced many notable artists.
20
a business that provides transport services for goods or passengers
- The shipping line transports goods internationally.
- He booked a cabin on a cruise line.
- That airline is the oldest line still operating today.
- A new ferry line connects the two islands.
- The freight line was delayed by storms.
21
a group of related products offered by a business
- Their new cosmetics line is popular with teens.
- The company launched a line of eco-friendly shoes.
- This line of furniture is made in Italy.
- He collects every line the brand produces.
- The electronics line includes tablets, phones, and laptops.
22
a channel used for sending or receiving information
- The emergency lines are open 24/7.
- He stayed in touch through various communication lines.
- The company established direct lines with its suppliers.
- She opened a line of correspondence with the client.
- Satellite lines provide coverage to remote areas.
Synonyms:
23
a boundary or marking that defines the area of play
- He stepped outside the line during the serve.
- The ball bounced just inside the end line.
- Players must stay behind the line until the whistle.
- That foul occurred near the goal line.
24
a system where tasks are performed in sequence to assemble a product
- Cars roll down the assembly line in the factory.
- Each worker has a station along the line.
- Efficiency on the line increased after automation.
- Quality checks are performed at every stage of the line.
- The production line was shut down for maintenance.
Synonyms:
25
a boundary or distinction used to separate or differentiate concepts, ideas, or categories
- There is a clear line between professional and personal behavior.
- The line between right and wrong can sometimes be difficult to define.
- The line between creativity and chaos is often blurry in art.
- A strict line was drawn in the company policy to prevent conflicts of interest.
- The line between friendship and rivalry became hard to maintain.
Synonyms:
26
a melody or sequence of musical notes forming a recognizable tune
- The violin line carried the main melody.
- He played a beautiful bass line on the piano.
- The vocal line harmonized with the guitar.
- Composers often experiment with counter lines.
- That line repeats throughout the symphony.
27
a brief note sent to someone
- She wrote him a line to say thanks.
- Drop me a line when you arrive.
- He sent a line of apology.
- I'll give you a line about tomorrow's plans.
- Leave a line on my desk if you need help.
Synonyms:
28
slick or flattering words often used to manipulate
- He gave me the usual sales line.
- Don't fall for her smooth line about being busy.
- Ignore the line; focus on the facts.
- She fed him a line to get sympathy.
- He spouted a line to impress the client.
29
a unit of vertical measurement in typesetting or advertising
- The ad costs 10 lines in the local newspaper.
- Each line of print is measured carefully.
- Advertisers buy space by the line.
- Space for one line must include margins.
- The designer adjusted the font to fit the lines.
Synonyms:
30
dialogue or spoken text assigned to an actor
A line is a specific piece of dialogue or text spoken by a character in a script or performance. It represents the words that an actor delivers during their role and is essential to the development of the character and the story. Lines can vary in length and importance, from brief remarks to extensive monologues.
- She forgot her line on stage.
- Repeat your line clearly for the recording.
- He delivered the lines with emotion.
- The actor practiced his lines in the mirror.
- Improvisation replaced the written lines.