skyline

[ skahy-lahyn ]

noun

1. the boundary line between earth and sky; the apparent horizon:

   A sail appeared against the skyline.

2. the outline of something, as the buildings of a city, against the sky:

   the New York skyline.

verb (used with object)

, sky·lined, sky·lin·ing.

1. to outline (something) against the sky.

skyline

/ ˈskaɪˌlaɪn /

noun

1. the line at which the earth and sky appear to meet; horizon
2. the outline of buildings, mountains, trees, etc, seen against the sky

Word History and Origins

Origin of skyline¹

First recorded in 1855–60; sky + line ¹

Example Sentences

Over the last year, the graffiti-pocked husk of the unfinished Oceanwide Plaza skyscrapers have haunted Los Angeles’ skyline, a beacon of disrepair and, for some, artistic expression.

From Los Angeles Times

That does not appear to have been the case for Primrose Hill, which is already used to people visiting local Bridget Jones film backdrops and Primrose Hill Park with its sweeping views of London's skyline.

From BBC

Smoke could be seen wafting over the night skyline in that direction.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles had recently passed Chicago to become America’s second city, but it still felt far behind with its puny skyline, suburban sprawl and relative lack of cultural sophistication.

From Los Angeles Times

Half an hour later two more multi story buildings vanished from the skyline in seconds, reduced to dark clouds of smoke and ash.

From BBC

Related Words

• horizon