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

Example Sentences

All nine countries lining the two connected gulfs, including Iran under any management, will want passage restored.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Recommending taking your food recycling bin out every week, he said lining a food caddy meant food waste was less likely to get congealed and sticky.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Enormous windows fill every room with natural light throughout the day, while enormous trees lining the backyard help to ensure privacy.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The 34-year-old pop singer says his new album is the first one ‘where things are lining up musically in my life.’

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Sometimes he’d want to play even when we weren’t in study time, like when we were lining up to go outside and he thought he’d come up with a particularly sly question.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Related Words

• covering