alignment

American  

[uh-lahyn-muhnt] / əˈlaɪn mənt /

Also alinement

noun

• alignments
  plural

1. an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.

2. the line or lines so formed.

3. 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.

4. a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.

5. a ground plan of a railroad or highway.

6. Archaeology. a line or an arrangement of parallel or converging lines of upright stones or menhirs.

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alignment British  

/ əˈlaɪnmənt /

noun

1. arrangement in a straight line

2. the line or lines formed in this manner

3. alliance or union with a party, cause, etc

4. proper or desirable coordination or relation of components

5. a ground plan of a railway, motor road, etc

6. archaeol an arrangement of one or more ancient rows of standing stones, of uncertain significance

7. psychol integration or harmonization of aims, practices, etc within a group

8. psychol identification with or matching of the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonalinement
  noun
• realignment
  noun
• self-alignment
  noun
• self-alinement
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• alignments
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of alignment

First recorded in 1780–90; align + -ment; replacing earlier alignement, from French

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alignment alignments

Labour ministers have been keen to sidestep talking about the impact of alignment in particular sectors, instead stressing the overall economic boost it expects the food deal to bring.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

“Could there be some alignment on this idea of power hour?”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

Essentially, it means that new mineral crystals grow in alignment with the existing enamel, allowing the newly formed material to become structurally integrated with the original tooth surface.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

It highlights 11 domains to watch right now, including chip design, cybersecurity, biology, finance, legal, quant trading, recursive self-improvement, hardware design, materials science, alignment and software engineering.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

With the one tipping out of alignment, the whole elegant scheme had torn, frayed.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

He worked flashcards with Robinson and sometimes made his father line up in the street in front of their house just to commit certain plays and alignments to memory.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

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

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 hands glide to indicate the proper time, the planetary alignments set themselves in order.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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Related Words

• adjustment

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