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Synonyms

lining

1 American  
[lahy-ning] / ˈlaɪ nɪŋ /

noun

  1. something that is used to line another thing; a layer of material on the inner side or surface of something.

  2. Bookbinding. the material used to strengthen the back of a book after the sheets have been folded, backed, and sewed.

  3. the act or process of lining something.

lining 2 American  
[lahy-ning] / ˈlaɪ nɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of marking or ornamenting a surface with lines.

  2. a design or ornamentation composed of lines.

  3. Printing. a system of designing type so that all characters of the same point size, regardless of font, will align with one another.

lining British  
/ ˈlaɪnɪŋ /

noun

    1. material used to line a garment, curtain, etc

    2. ( as modifier )

      lining satin

  2. a material, such as mull or brown paper, used to strengthen the back of a book

  3. civil engineering a layer of concrete, brick, or timber, etc, used in canals to prevent them leaking or in tunnels or shafts to prevent them falling in

  4. any material used as an interior covering

"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
lining Idioms  

  1. see silver lining.

Etymology

Origin of lining1

First recorded in 1375–1425, lining is from the late Middle English word lynyng. See line 2, -ing 1

Origin of lining1

First recorded in 1565–75; line 1 + -ing 1

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.

“If there is a silver lining to this, the amount of support they’ve gotten is beyond my ability to comprehend. The families are so grateful.”

From Los Angeles Times

There’s still a desk and a computer, still a row of ball caps lining a display shelf on the wall.

From Literature

Previous work has also demonstrated that Reelin is necessary for healthy renewal of the gut lining.

From Science Daily

Niger's military government has seized control of the country's main uranium mine from the longstanding French operator, Orano, and is now lining up Russia as its new partner in the sector.

From BBC

Before, several food vendors would arrive early to claim their corner spots, with customers already lining up before stalls were fully set up.

From BBC

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.