blue line

American  

noun

Ice Hockey.

1. either of two lines of the color blue that are parallel to and equidistant from the goal lines and divide the rink into three zones of equal size.

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Etymology

Origin of blue line

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blue line

The blue line is the rate the bond market expects that to be 12 months out.

From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026

So when they did finally turn him out, he dragged himself to the blue line, and got on without paying, and he didn’t see any cops, and he didn’t get arrested.

From Slate ● Jan. 27, 2026

But Kopitar put the Kings in front to stay 31 seconds later, redirecting in a Mikey Anderson shot from the blue line for his 20th goal of the season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2025

The last time I visited, I sat by the window, with the blue line buzzing overhead, and slipped one of those postcards into an envelope addressed to one of my closest friends in California.

From Salon ● Apr. 10, 2025

It stretched away for half a mile, becoming more calm and peaceful as it dropped, nestled in trees and thick brush, a blue line in a green background.

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen