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

“There should be an alignment between where money is being invested and the types of values that people of the state embrace,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

When that alignment has broken down in De Zerbi's career - when ownership or a director of football has pulled in a different direction - the project has quickly unravelled.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

RBC Capital Markets analyst Brian Abrahams pointed to Biogen’s need for new revenue sources and the alignment of buying a company that also does work in rare kidney diseases and immunological conditions.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

What used to be known as “no doubles defense” has effectively become the standard alignment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

His eyes don't leave the diagram, and he taps the sheet and says, "Get a reading on this rheostat, David. If the dial's out of alignment, that could double or triple the current getting past."

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• adjustment