straight-line

[ streyt-lahyn ]

adjective

1. Machinery.
   1. noting a machine or mechanism the working parts of which act or are arranged in a straight line.
   2. noting a mechanism for causing one part to move along a straight line.
2. Accounting. denoting uniform allocation, as in calculating the total depreciation over the life of a depreciable asset, dividing that into equal parts, and depreciating each segment at regular intervals.

straight-line

noun

1. (of a machine) having components that are arranged in a row or that move in a straight line when in operation
2. of or relating to a method of depreciation whereby equal charges are made against gross profit for each year of an asset's expected life

Word History and Origins

Origin of straight-line¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

“Today, who knows if we could have won? But if we didn’t pit we would have been leading at the restart. And the first 30 laps controlling the place with Lando behind. We had good straight-line speed as well. P2 would have been a minimum.”

From BBC

This creates a larger gap between the main plane and the flap, which may reduce drag and increase straight-line speed.

From BBC

When a straight-line jet stream blows in from the Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

When a straight-line jet stream blows in from the Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

Equally problematic, though, was that too many of those fastballs — all of them of the more straight-line, four-seam variety — were too hittable at the MLB level.

From Los Angeles Times