alignment
Americannoun
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alignments
plural
-
an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.
-
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Wonder
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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.
See Examples For:
The shadow cast by the alignment of Sun and Moon creates a strange twilight during which temperatures drop, shadows appear at strange angles and some animals go to sleep.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
In the memo, seen by the Associated Press, external, Engelbert said the league would "always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league".
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’ feels very much in alignment with the type of work I want to be known for.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
“As AI systems grow more capable, ensuring they remain safe and behave as intended will require exceptional researchers and new ways of thinking,” said OpenAI alignment researcher Kai Chen.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Once, when I saw this alignment about to occur again, I shifted suddenly to the side and caught the servers in the act of waffle-gloving.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Mr. Netanyahu has directed Israel’s diplomacy for 16 of the past 17 years, resulting in many formal and informal alignments with nations that had long been among Israel’s sworn enemies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
The long-term consequences could outlast the war itself, reshaping regional alignments in ways that leave Iran more isolated.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
Although such alignments are unlikely at any given moment, Titan's outward migration sometimes creates these resonances.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 27, 2026
Few details of Vance's programme have been disclosed, but the visit comes as Washington seeks a larger diplomatic and economic footprint in the South Caucasus amid shifting regional alignments.
From Barron's ● Feb. 9, 2026
The general rise in affluence had obscured the traditional class markers and distorted the old class-based political alignments.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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.
