skyline

[skahy-lahyn]

noun

1. the boundary line between earth and sky; the apparent horizon.

   A sail appeared against the skyline.

2. the outline of something, as the buildings of a city, against the sky.

   the New York skyline.

verb (used with object)

skylined, skylining 

1. to outline (something) against the sky.

skyline

/ ˈskaɪˌlaɪn /

noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of skyline¹

First recorded in 1855–60; sky + line ¹

Example Sentences

Even on a Monday morning, the spa was busy, but the heated outdoor pools offer sweeping views of the NYC skyline, with built-in loungers perfect for reading or napping.

Read more on Salon

Blazing beams of light flickered across the skyline and left charred feathers floating on the breeze.

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At dusk, worshippers stood waist-deep in the river's brown waters to offer prayers to the sun god Surya as the setting orb sank into the haze blanketing New Delhi's skyline, marking the annual Chhath festival.

Read more on Barron's

New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million people are regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals, with acrid smog blanketing the skyline each winter.

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The skyline of the capital Phnom Penh changed dramatically.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• horizon