align

Rarely a·line

[uh-lahyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to arrange in a straight line; adjust according to a line.

   Synonyms: straighten

2. to bring into a line or alignment.

   Synonyms: straighten

3. to bring into cooperation or agreement with a particular group, party, cause, etc..

   He aligned himself with the liberals.

4. to adjust (two or more components of an electronic circuit) to improve the response over a frequency band, as to align the tuned circuits of a radio receiver for proper tracking throughout its frequency range, or a television receiver for appropriate wide-band responses.

verb (used without object)

1. to fall or come into line; be in line.

2. to join with others in a cause.

align

/ əˈlaɪn /

verb

1. to place or become placed in a line

2. to bring (components or parts, such as the wheels of a car) into proper or desirable coordination or relation

3. to bring (a person, country, etc) into agreement or cooperation with the policy, etc of another person or group

4. (tr) psychol to integrate or harmonize the aims, practices, etc of a group

5. (usually foll by with) psychol to identify with or match the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person

Other Word Forms

• aligner noun
• realign verb
• self-aligning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of align¹

First recorded in 1685–95; from French aligner, equivalent to a- “toward” + ligner, from Latin līneāre, derivative of līnea “line”; a- ⁵, line ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of align¹

C17: from Old French aligner, from à ligne into line

Example Sentences

Miles’ case underscores a stark contradiction: people whose ancestors inhabited this land for millennia can still be treated as outsiders, illustrating how legal recognition and federal enforcement often fail to align in practice.

Read more on Salon

This shift indicates scattering from smaller fragments and aligns with the slightly delayed drop in the Guinier amplitude, confirming that many molecules have already broken apart.

Read more on Science Daily

The only thing the couple of 65 years can align on is that they have to tell their daughter that Joan’s prognosis is now a matter of “when,” and not “if.”

Read more on Salon

There is only one thing Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have not been able to align on this year.

Read more on BBC

The results also align with earlier rodent studies showing that inadequate choline intake in mice can lead to obesity, metabolic problems and increased Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• adjust 
• coordinate 
• regulate