alignment

[ uh-lahyn-muh nt ]

/ əˈlaɪn mənt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR alignment ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

the line or lines so formed.

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.

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

a ground plan of a railroad or highway.

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

Nearby words

Also a·line·ment.

Origin of alignment

1780–90; align + -ment; replacing earlier alignement < French

Related formsnon·a·line·ment, nounre·a·lign·ment, nounself-a·lign·ment, nounself-a·line·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for alignment

Curbs at nearly the exact same spot on opposite sides of the street are popped out of alignment.
Silicon Valley Mansions, Swallowed Alive|Geoff Manaugh|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Other theories hold that it was a supernova or an alignment of two or three planets.
Vatican Science on Christmas and Creationism|Christopher Dickey|December 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Psychics and astrologers were employed to attack the enemy and plan tactics based on the alignment of the stars.
Hitler’s Hunt for the Holy Grail and the Ghent Altarpiece|Noah Charney|December 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“His alignment with NOM was really part of a downhill spiral for him,” he said.
The Man Behind NOM’s New War on Transgender Students|Caitlin Dickson|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Rationality is the ability to bring means into alignment with ends.
The Anti-Plan B GOP: They Only Look Crazy|David Frum|December 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
New Alresford is nearer the alignment (though not on it), and it is to New Alresford that the modern road leads.
The Old Road|Hilaire Belloc
Yes, the inter-sliding series of plates, that reversed or neutralized gravitational attraction at a touch, were in alignment.
The Planetoid of Peril|Paul Ernst
But the student can at least get the general drift and the alignment of the States on the opposing sides.
A Source Book in American History to 1787|Various
Of course, absolutely no change in alignment could be permitted while these tubes were in use carrying mail.
The New York Subway|Anonymous
Indeed, it does not matter whether the beads are moved in the order of their alignment or at random.
Montessori Elementary Materials|Maria Montessori

British Dictionary definitions for alignment

alignment

/ (əˈlaɪnmənt) /

noun

arrangement in a straight line

the line or lines formed in this manner

alliance or union with a party, cause, etc

proper or desirable coordination or relation of components

a ground plan of a railway, motor road, etc

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

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

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

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 alignment