alignment

[ uh-lahyn-muhnt ]
See synonyms for alignment on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.

  2. the line or lines so formed.

  1. the proper adjustment of the components of an electronic circuit, machine, etc., for coordinated functioning: The front wheels of the car are out of alignment.

  2. a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.

  3. a ground plan of a railroad or highway.

  4. Archaeology. a line or an arrangement of parallel or converging lines of upright stones or menhirs.

Origin of alignment

1
First recorded in 1780–90; align + -ment; replacing earlier alignement, from French
  • Also a·line·ment .

Other words from alignment

  • non·a·line·ment, noun
  • re·a·lign·ment, noun
  • self-a·lign·ment, noun
  • self-a·line·ment, noun

Words Nearby alignment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use alignment in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alignment

alignment

/ (əˈlaɪnmənt) /


noun
  1. arrangement in a straight line

  2. the line or lines formed in this manner

  1. alliance or union with a party, cause, etc

  2. proper or desirable coordination or relation of components

  3. a ground plan of a railway, motor road, etc

  4. archaeol an arrangement of one or more ancient rows of standing stones, of uncertain significance

  5. psychol integration or harmonization of aims, practices, etc within a group

  6. psychol identification with or matching of the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012