lining

¹ American  

[lahy-ning] / ˈlaɪ nɪŋ /

noun

1. something that is used to line another thing; a layer of material on the inner side or surface of something.

2. Bookbinding. the material used to strengthen the back of a book after the sheets have been folded, backed, and sewed.

3. the act or process of lining something.

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lining ² American  

[lahy-ning] / ˈlaɪ nɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of marking or ornamenting a surface with lines.

2. a design or ornamentation composed of lines.

3. Printing. a system of designing type so that all characters of the same point size, regardless of font, will align with one another.

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lining British  

/ ˈlaɪnɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. material used to line a garment, curtain, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      lining satin

2. a material, such as mull or brown paper, used to strengthen the back of a book

3. civil engineering a layer of concrete, brick, or timber, etc, used in canals to prevent them leaking or in tunnels or shafts to prevent them falling in

4. any material used as an interior covering

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lining Idioms  

1. see silver lining.

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Etymology

Origin of lining¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, lining is from the late Middle English word lynyng. See line ², -ing ¹

Origin of lining²

First recorded in 1565–75; line ¹ + -ing ¹

Explanation

When a different material covers the inside of something, like the clear membrane on the inner layer of an eggshell, you can call it a lining. Many of our body parts have linings — the stomach lining, for example — that protect their insides. Clothing often contains a protective lining too, like the satin lining of your formal suit or the cotton lining of a sheer skirt, sewn inside, or a furry or plush lining meant to add warmth. A "silver lining" is a happy, bright aspect found in a dark or sad event: "I know there's a silver lining to your car accident!"

Example Sentences

There is, of course, much that remains uncertain as this war continues, but there is one silver lining: for most households, incomes have been rising faster than prices in recent times.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

“Inadequate nutrition, particularly vitamin A deficiency, can impair the lining of the digestive tract, predisposing birds to inflammation and secondary illness.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

As the crystal grows, these two elements often attach randomly instead of lining up correctly.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

People have been lining up at Costco and Walmart to buy gold bars and digging through their jewelry boxes to turn keepsakes into cash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

As he disappeared behind the lime trees lining the side of our house, I stood trembling in my bare feet, wondering if we’d ever be close again, the way we were before he’d abandoned us.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

• covering