skyline

[ skahy-lahyn ]

/ ˈskaɪˌlaɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR skyline ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Also sky line.

the boundary line between earth and sky; the apparent horizon: A sail appeared against the skyline.

the outline of something, as the buildings of a city, against the sky: the New York skyline.

verb (used with object), sky·lined, sky·lin·ing.

to outline (something) against the sky.

RELATED WORDS

horizon, outline

Nearby words

skylab, skylark, skylight, skylight filter, skylighted, skyline, skylit, skylounge, skyman, skype, skyphos

Origin of skyline

First recorded in 1855–60; sky + line¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for skyline

The absence of the Twin Towers in the skyline was jarring, as was the sight of tanks and humvees posted along Park Row.
The Resilient City: New York After 9/11|John Avlon|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now I was content to sit next to Dad on his bed and look out the window at the orange light bouncing off the New York skyline.
Almost Famous: A Father's Day Story|Alex Belth|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I sat next to Dad on his bed and looked out the window at the orange light bouncing off the New York skyline.
Almost Famous: A Father's Day Story|Alex Belth|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But “Roar” is an impossibly catchy song, and the Manhattan skyline behind her was beautiful.
VMAs 2013 Wildest Moments: Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus & More (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|August 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The sandal is pictured in cartoon-form against the New York skyline on a wheeled plank, held up by wires emerging from the ground.
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Might Model for Bulgari; Beyoncé's H&M Campaign Drops|The Fashion Beast Team|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The rising sun dazzled his vision, but a movement on the skyline riveted his attention.
The Winning of the Golden Spurs|Percy F. Westerman
She would not have been human if her mind had not dwelt upon the world beyond the skyline on the other side of the range.
The Chalice Of Courage|Cyrus Townsend Brady
Up it came, and I saw it stand out nice and clear against the skyline.
Bullets & Billets|Bruce Bairnsfather
Before him was a city, bathed in orange and red, towering like the skyline of a dozen cities he had seen—and yet; not like any.
The Sky Is Falling|Lester del Rey
Soon the whistling of wings was heard, and dark forms appeared against the skyline.
Poachers and Poaching|John Watson

British Dictionary definitions for skyline

skyline

/ (ˈskaɪˌlaɪn) /

noun

the line at which the earth and sky appear to meet; horizon

the outline of buildings, mountains, trees, etc, seen against the sky

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

Word Origin and History for skyline

skyline

"horizon," 1824, from sky (n.) + line (n.).