supply line
Americannoun
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a route by which goods are transported to those using or purchasing them, especially one carrying food and equipment for troops during a war.
They thrust deeply into enemy territory, attacking enemy headquarters, communications, and supply lines.
The trucker blockade shut off a major supply line from Canada to the United States.
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a tube, pipe, or cable that carries water, fuel, electricity, etc., to the place where it is needed or used.
Locate the water supply line coming into the valve and turn it off at the source, typically under the sink.
Crews are working to get the pipeline back in service, as it is a major supply line to several southern states.
Etymology
Origin of supply line
First recorded in 1860–65
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.
Not a place of legend, but a supply line for the other taverns.
From Salon • Jun. 23, 2026
Micron recently started production on a new supply line as part of an expansion at a Manassas, Va., plant and has pledged to invest some $200 billion across the country.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
Japan's aim was to cut off the Allied supply line to China.
From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025
In recent weeks, Russian forces have breached a critical supply line and threatened to encircle Ukrainian soldiers.
From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2024
“Is the rationing really because of the extra families or because the supply line from Baltimore is gone?”
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
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.
