Dictionary.com
definitions

align

or a·line

[uh-lahyn]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR align 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.

Origin of align

1685–95; < French aligner, equivalent to a- a-5 + ligner < Latin līneāre, derivative of līnea line1
Related formsa·lign·er, nounre·a·lign, verbself-a·lign·ing, adjectiveun·a·ligned, adjective

Synonyms for align

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR align ON THESAURUS.COM
1, 2. straighten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for aligned

coordinate, adjust, regulate, cooperate, agree, associate, even, range, fix, order, straighten, follow, sympathize, ally, affiliate, enlist

Examples from the Web for aligned

Contemporary Examples of aligned

Historical Examples of aligned

  • There are aligned the social obligations and requirements of the age.

    The New Education

    Scott Nearing

  • Carefully and surely he aligned the ship with the rock in speed and direction.

    Gold in the Sky

    Alan Edward Nourse

  • We were all aligned but the old pacer—why didn't you let us go?

    The Bishop of Cottontown

    John Trotwood Moore

  • The torches were ready—the men were aligned in front with deadly shotguns.

    The Bishop of Cottontown

    John Trotwood Moore

  • The lodges were aligned in double row, with a wide avenue between them.

British Dictionary definitions for aligned

align

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 à 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
Word Origin and History for aligned

align

v.

early 15c., "to copulate" (of wolves, dogs), literally "to range (things) in a line," from Middle French aligner, from Old French alignier "set, lay in line," from à "to" (see ad-) + lignier "to line," from Latin lineare, from linea (see line (n.)). Transitive or reflective sense of "to fall into line" is from 1853. International political sense is attested from 1934. No justification for the French spelling, and aline was an early native form. Related: Aligned; aligning.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper