Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, narrow mark or band: A visible mark on a surface, longer than it is wide.
   • A length of cord, rope, wire, or similar material: A flexible material used for various purposes like hanging, tying, or measuring.
   • A row or series of people or things: People or objects arranged one behind another or beside one another.
   • A boundary or limit: A real or imaginary demarcation.
   • A course of action, thought, or policy: A direction, method, or way of doing something.
   • A short written message: A brief note or letter.
   • A connected series of events or actions: A sequence or progression.
   • A commercial organization or service: A company operating in transport or communications.
   • A range of commercial goods: A type or category of products offered for sale.
   • A telephone connection: A wire or circuit for telephone communication.
   • A single row of words in writing or print: A horizontal row of text.
   • A succession of musical notes: A melody or tune.

2. Verb:

   • To mark or cover with lines: To draw lines on a surface.
   • To form a line along the edge or inside of something: To place or arrange in a line.
   • To be positioned or arranged in a line: To form a row or series.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Draw a straight line from point A to point B.
  • She hung the wet laundry on the line.
  • Please stand in a line for the ticket counter.
  • The ball crossed the line, so it was a goal.
  • The company is taking a new line on environmental policy.
  • I'll drop you a line when I arrive.
  • His argument follows a logical line.
  • The shipping line operates between several ports.
  • The store carries a new line of organic skincare products.
  • The line is busy; please call again later.
  • The first line of the poem is very famous.
  • He composed a beautiful melodic line for the violin.

• Verb:

  • His face was lined with age and worry.
  • Trees line the avenue leading to the palace.
  • She lined the shelves with contact paper.

Advanced Usage

• "toe the line": To conform to rules or standards.
  • New employees must learn to toe the line.
• "draw the line (at)": To set a limit on what one is willing to do or accept.
  • I enjoy jokes, but I draw the line at offensive comments.
• "in line with": In agreement or conformity with.
  • Our plans are in line with the company's overall strategy.
• "read between the lines": To look for or understand a hidden or implied meaning.
  • His letter sounded positive, but if you read between the lines, he was very disappointed.

Variants and Related Words

• Lining (n): A layer of material covering the inner surface of something.
  • The jacket has a warm fleece lining.
• Linear (adj): Arranged in or extending along a straight or nearly straight line.
  • The data shows a linear progression.
• Lineage (n): Line of descent from an ancestor.
  • He can trace his lineage back several centuries.
• Lineal (adj): In a direct line of descent or ancestry.
  • She is a lineal descendant of the founder.

Synonyms

• Noun: stripe, streak, row, queue, boundary, policy, note, sequence, company, range.
• Verb: rule, streak, border, edge, rank, align.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• line up: To form or arrange in a line; to organize or prepare.
  • The soldiers lined up for inspection.
  • We have lined up several speakers for the event.
• line (something) with (something): To cover the inner surface of something with a layer of material.
  • She lined the box with silk.
• line (one's) pockets: To make money, especially in a dishonest way.
  • The corrupt official lined his pockets with public funds.

Related Idioms

• down the line: At a later time or further stage.
  • We might face problems down the line.
• hold the line: To maintain a position or situation, especially on the telephone.
  • Please hold the line while I transfer your call.
• lay it on the line: To speak frankly and directly.
  • The manager laid it on the line: improve performance or leave.
• on the line: At risk; also, on the telephone.
  • His reputation is on the line.
  • She's on the line from our New York office.
• out of line: Unacceptable or inappropriate.
  • Your rude comment was completely out of line.

Verb

1. reinforce with fabric
   • lined books are more enduring
2. fill plentifully
   • line one's pockets
3. mark with lines
   • sorrow had lined his face
4. make a mark or lines on a surface
   • draw a line
   • trace the outline of a figure in the sand
5. cover the interior of
   • line the gloves
   • line a chimney
6. be in line with; form a line along
   • trees line the riverbank

Noun

1. mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it
2. a conceptual separation or distinction
   • there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity
3. a short personal letter
   • drop me a line when you get there
4. 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
5. a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
   • she was humming an air from Beethoven
6. the maximum credit that a customer is allowed
7. space for one line of print (one column wide and 1/14 inch deep) used to measure advertising
8. a commercial organization serving as a common carrier
9. a particular kind of product or merchandise
   • a nice line of shoes
10. (often plural) a means of communication or access
    • it must go through official channels
    • lines of communication were set up between the two firms
11. in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area
12. the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
    • he's not in my line of business
13. something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible
    • a washing line
14. the descendants of one individual
    • his entire lineage has been warriors
15. acting in conformity
    • in line with
    • he got out of line
    • toe the line
16. a telephone connection
17. the road consisting of railroad track and roadbed
18. a pipe used to transport liquids or gases
    • a pipeline runs from the wells to the seaport
19. a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface
    • his face has many lines
    • ironing gets rid of most wrinkles
20. a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
21. a connected series of events or actions or developments
    • the government took a firm course
    • historians can only point out those lines for which evidence is available
22. a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
23. 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
24. a fortified position (especially one marking the most forward position of troops)
    • they attacked the enemy's line
25. a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum
26. 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
27. a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point
28. 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
29. a mark that is long relative to its width
    • He drew a line on the chart
30. 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