alignment
Americannoun
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an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.
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the line or lines so formed.
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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.
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a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.
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a ground plan of a railroad or highway.
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Archaeology. a line or an arrangement of parallel or converging lines of upright stones or menhirs.
noun
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arrangement in a straight line
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the line or lines formed in this manner
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alliance or union with a party, cause, etc
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proper or desirable coordination or relation of components
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a ground plan of a railway, motor road, etc
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archaeol an arrangement of one or more ancient rows of standing stones, of uncertain significance
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psychol integration or harmonization of aims, practices, etc within a group
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psychol identification with or matching of the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of alignment
First recorded in 1780–90; align + -ment; replacing earlier alignement, from French
Explanation
The noun alignment refers to the correct positioning of something. If you check the alignment of your feet when running, you're checking to make sure they're not pointing to either side, but going straight ahead. Alignment has to do with adjusting something so it's in the right place. If you take your car in for a wheel alignment, the mechanic will make sure the wheels are on straight. Alignment can also mean following directions or being in agreement. Your school has to act in alignment with state education rules. If you and your brother both believe that poodles should be banned in your town, then you are in alignment on the issue of poodles.
Vocabulary lists containing alignment
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This allows much denser vertical connections, smaller distances between layers, and alignment accuracy measured in nanometers.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
An alignment between the club's three central figures: Luis Enrique, sporting director Luis Campos and president Al‑Khelaifi.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
In 19 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas, the alignment between listing prices and incomes has gotten better than it was even before the pandemic.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
Analysts suggest Netflix, Sphere Entertainment, Amazon, and Apple as potential buyers, citing strategic alignment with IMAX’s offerings.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Gale sweeps up a handful of pencils and taps them on the floor into perfect alignment.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
