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align

[ uh-lahyn ]
/ əˈlaÉȘn /
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See synonyms for: align / aligned / aligning / aligns on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
to arrange in a straight line; adjust according to a line.
to bring into a line or alignment.
to bring into cooperation or agreement with a particular group, party, cause, etc.: He aligned himself with the liberals.
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)
to fall or come into line; be in line.
to join with others in a cause.
QUIZ
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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as

Rarely a·line .

Origin of align

First recorded in 1685–95; from French aligner, equivalent to a- “toward” + ligner, from Latin līneāre, derivative of līnea “line”; see origin at a-5, line1

OTHER WORDS FROM align

a·lign·er, nounre·a·lign, verbself-a·lign·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use align in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for align

align
/ (əˈlaÉȘn) /

verb
to place or become placed in a line
to bring (components or parts, such as the wheels of a car) into proper or desirable coordination or relation
(tr usually foll by with) to bring (a person, country, etc) into agreement or cooperation with the policy, etc of another person or group
(tr) psychol to integrate or harmonize the aims, practices, etc of a group
(usually foll by with) psychol to identify with or match the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person

Word Origin for align

C17: from Old French aligner, from Ă  ligne into line
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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