alignment
Americannoun
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an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.
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the line or lines so formed.
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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.
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a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.
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a ground plan of a railroad or highway.
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Archaeology. a line or an arrangement of parallel or converging lines of upright stones or menhirs.
noun
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arrangement in a straight line
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the line or lines formed in this manner
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alliance or union with a party, cause, etc
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proper or desirable coordination or relation of components
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a ground plan of a railway, motor road, etc
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archaeol an arrangement of one or more ancient rows of standing stones, of uncertain significance
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psychol integration or harmonization of aims, practices, etc within a group
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psychol identification with or matching of the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of alignment
First recorded in 1780–90; align + -ment; replacing earlier alignement, from French
Explanation
The noun alignment refers to the correct positioning of something. If you check the alignment of your feet when running, you're checking to make sure they're not pointing to either side, but going straight ahead. Alignment has to do with adjusting something so it's in the right place. If you take your car in for a wheel alignment, the mechanic will make sure the wheels are on straight. Alignment can also mean following directions or being in agreement. Your school has to act in alignment with state education rules. If you and your brother both believe that poodles should be banned in your town, then you are in alignment on the issue of poodles.
Vocabulary lists containing alignment
Wonder
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Eclipse Vocabulary
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From Ascension to Zenith: Astronomy and Stargazing Terms
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 41-year-old Goodrem, who had a string of international hits in the early 2000s, has raised hopes of a first win for her country with "Eclipse", a song evoking a romantic alignment of the planets.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
There will also need to be alignment on significant outgoings, especially if Chelsea fail to make Europe.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
And that alignment exists because of an anomaly in business history: there was no financial incentive for Bogle to create the company in the first place!
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
This perfect alignment gives them immediate access to food, allowing them to begin feeding right away.
From Science Daily • May 5, 2026
Blocks poking out of alignment here and there.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
