alignment

American  

[uh-lahyn-muhnt] / əˈlaɪn mənt /

Also alinement

noun

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

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

Etymology

Origin of alignment

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

Example Sentences

Durov, who almost always wears black—except when posing for shirtless photos with six-pack abs—espouses a libertarian view of the world, rejecting alignment with states and centralized power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kennedy and his top lieutenants were set to announce the Denmark alignment in an event Friday afternoon at the HHS headquarters in Washington, D. C., people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Americans had to conceptualize their liberation in alignment with the laws of nature.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Just because you don’t really get a chance for any of the prep and the things that I think are in alignment with putting guys in a position to have successful outcomes,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The purchase of WBD will likely reaffirm a familiar lesson in corporate finance: When boards and shareholders interpret risk differently, markets have a way of pushing those positions back into alignment.

From Barron's

Related Words

• adjustment