line
noun
laɪn 
laɪn long thin mark
1 [countable] a long thin mark on a surfacea straight/wavy/dotted/diagonal linea vertical/horizontal lineparallel linesDraw a thick black line across the page.2 [countable] a long thin mark on the ground to show the limit or border of something, especially of a playing area in some sportsThe ball went over the line.Be careful not to cross the line (= the broken line painted down the middle of the road).Your feet must be behind the line when you serve (= in tennis ).They were all waiting on the starting line. see also finishing line, goal line, sideline, touchline3 [countable] a mark like a line on somebody's skin that people usually get as they get olderSynonym
wrinkleHe has fine lines around his eyes.division
4 [countable] an imaginary limit or border between one place or thing and anotherHe was convicted of illegally importing weapons across state lines.a district/county linelines of longitude and latitude see also coastline, Date Line, dividing line, picket line, treeline, waterline5 [countable] the division between one area of thought or behaviour and anotherWe want to cut across lines of race, sex and religion.There is a fine line between showing interest in what someone is doing and interfering in it. see also red lineshape
6 [countable] the edge, outline or shape of somebody/somethingHe traced the line of her jaw with his finger.a beautiful sports car with sleek lines see also bikini linerow of people/things
7 [countable] a row of people or things next to each other or behind each othera long line of treesThe children all stood in a line.They were stuck in a line of traffic.8 [countable] (North American English) a queue of peopleto stand/wait in line for somethingA line formed at each teller window.in factory
9 [countable] a system of making something, in which the product moves from one worker to the next until it is finished see also assembly line, production lineseries
10 [countable, usually singular] a series of people, things or events that follow one another in timeShe came from a long line of doctors.to pass something down through the male/female lineThis novel is the latest in a long line of thrillers that he has written.That was the first in a whole line of mistakes and bad decisions.11 [countable, usually singular] a series of people in order of importanceOrders came down the line from the very top.a line of commandHe is second in line to the chairman.to be next in line to the throne see also line managerwords
12 [countable] (abbr. l) a row of words on a page or the empty space where they can be written; the words of a song or poemLook at line 5 of the text.Write the title of your essay on the top line.I can only remember the first two lines of that song. see also bottom line13 [countable] the words spoken by an actor in a play or film/movieto learn your linesa line from the film ‘Casablanca’14 lines [plural] (British English) (in some schools) a punishment in which a child has to write out a particular sentence a number of timesThe teacher gave me 100 lines.15 [countable] (informal) a remark, especially when somebody says it to achieve a particular purposeDon't give me that line about having to work late again. (British English) That's the worst chat-up line I've ever heard.rope/wire/pipe
16 [countable] a long piece of rope, thread, etc, especially when it is used for a particular purposea fishing lineHe hung the towels out on the line (= clothes line).They dropped the sails and threw a line to a man on the dock. see also lifeline17 [countable] a pipe or thick wire that carries water, gas or electricity from one place to another see also power linetelephone
18 [countable] a telephone connection; a particular telephone numberYour bill includes line rental.The company's lines have been jammed (= busy) all day with people making complaints.I was talking to John when the line suddenly went dead.If you hold the line (= stay on the telephone and wait), I'll see if she is available. see also helpline, hotline, landline, offline, onlinerailway/railroad
19 [countable] a railway/railroad track; a section of a railway/railroad systemThe train was delayed because a tree had fallen across the line.a branch linethe East Coast line see also main lineroute/direction
20 [countable, usually singular] the direction that somebody/something is moving or located inJust keep going in a straight line; you can't miss it.The town is in a direct line between London and the coast.Please move; you're right in my line of vision (= the direction I am looking in).They followed the line of the river for three miles.Be careful to stay out of the line of fire (= the direction somebody is shooting in).21 [countable] a route from one place to another especially when it is used for a particular purposeTheir aim was to block guerrilla supply lines.attitude/argument
22 [countable, usually singular] an attitude or a belief, especially one that somebody states publiclyThe government is taking a firm line on terrorism.He supported the official line on education. see also hard line, party line23 [countable] a method or way of doing or thinking about somethingI don't follow your line of reasoning.She decided to try a different line of argument (= way of persuading somebody of something).somebody's first line of attack/defenceThe police are pursuing a new line of enquiry/inquiry (= way of finding out information).activity
24 [singular] a type or area of business, activity or interestMy line of work pays pretty well.You can't do much in the art line without training. see also sidelineproduct
25 [countable] a type of productWe are starting a new line in casual clothes.Some lines sell better than others.transport
26 [countable] (often used in names) a company that provides transport for people or goodsa shipping/bus line see also airlinesoldiers
27 [countable] a row or series of military defences where the soldiers are fighting during a warThe regiment was sent to fight in the front line (= the position nearest the enemy).They were trapped behind enemy lines (= in the area controlled by the enemy).drugs
28 [countable] (slang) an amount of cocaine that is spread out in a thin line, ready to takeIdioms
along/down the line
(informal) at some point during an activity or a processSomewhere along the line a large amount of money went missing.We'll make a decision on that further down the line.along/on (the)… lines
1 (informal) in the way that is mentionedThe new system will operate along the same lines as the old one.They voted along class lines.2 (informal) similar to the way or thing that is mentionedThose aren't his exact words, but he said something along those lines.The hotel was built along the lines of a French chateau.be, come, etc. on line
1 to be working or functioningThe new working methods will come on line in June.2 using or connected to a computer or the Internet; communicating with other people by computerAll the new homes are on line. see also onlinebring somebody/something, come, get, fall, etc. into line (with somebody/something)
to behave or make somebody/something behave in the same way as other people or how they should behave
Britain must be brought into line with the rest of Europe on taxes.in (a) line (with something)
in a position that forms a straight line with something
An eclipse happens when the earth and moon are in line with the sun.in line for something
likely to get something
She is in line for promotion.in the line of duty
while doing a job
A policeman was injured in the line of duty yesterday.in line with something
similar to something or so that one thing is closely connected with another
Annual pay increases will be in line with inflation.lay it on the line
(informal) to tell somebody clearly what you think, especially when they will not like what you sayThe manager laid it on the line—some people would have to lose their jobs.(choose, follow, take, etc.) the line of least resistance
(to choose, etc.) the easiest way of doing something
(put something) on the line
(informal) at riskIf we don't make a profit, my job is on the line.out of line (with somebody/something)
1 not forming a straight line2 different from somethingLondon prices are way out of line with the rest of the country.3 (North American English) (British English out of order) (informal) behaving in a way that is not acceptable or rightwalk/tread a fine/thin line
to be in a difficult or dangerous situation where you could easily make a mistake
He was walking a fine line between being funny and being rude.