in-line

[in-lahyn, in-lahyn]

adjective

1. (of an internal-combustion engine) having the cylinders ranged side by side in one or more rows along the crankshaft.

in-line

adjective

1. denoting a linked sequence of manufacturing processes

2. denoting an internal-combustion engine having its cylinders arranged in a line

Word History and Origins

Origin of in line¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Idioms and Phrases

Also, in line with . In conformity or agreement; within ordinary or proper limits. For example, The new policy was intended to keep prices in line with their competitors , or It's up to the supervisor to keep the nurses in line . Also see fall in line .

Also, on line . Waiting behind others in a row or queue. For example, The children stood in line for their lunches , or There were at least 50 persons on line for opera tickets .

in line for . Next in order for, as in He is next in line for the presidency . All of these terms employ line in the sense of “an orderly row or series of persons or objects,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

Example Sentences

The British Florist Association said the price of flowers was in-line with other inflation products, with their production reliant on "all the factors that the country has seen price increases on".

From BBC

The magic system has an almost science-fiction element to it, with lots of medical talk about magical maladies and a well-rendered in-line breakdown of how “Outlander”-esque menhir travel works.

From Los Angeles Times

He brought in Camuso, a longtime associate who’d worked at the Magic Shop, and the pair endeavored to repair the eight-track recording console nicknamed “The Monster” that Paul built with engineer Rein Narma, which featured leading-edge in-line equalization and vibrato effects.

From Los Angeles Times

The White House and Department of Homeland Security are already referring to undocumented immigration as an “invasion,” in-line with years of white nationalist rhetoric which has infected the Republican Party.

From Salon

Extra support was ditched this year and overall results are expected to be lower than in 2023 and in-line with pre-pandemic grades.

From BBC

Related Words

• consecutive 
• nonstop 
• short 
• smooth 
• solid 
• straightforward 
• successive 
• true