zipline

American  

[zip-lahyn] / ˈzɪpˌlaɪn /

Or zip line

noun

1. a suspended, inclined cable equipped with a pulley and down which a harnessed rider glides for recreation.

   The most popular rides at the fair are the two ziplines.

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verb (used without object)

1. to ride for recreation along a suspended, inclined cable equipped with a pulley and a harness.

   We ziplined for more than two hours through the rainforest.

Etymology

Origin of zipline

First recorded in 1970–75; zip ¹ (in the sense “to move with speed”) + line ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “length of cord or wire”)

Example Sentences

It boasts the world’s tallest building, deepest diving pool and longest urban zipline.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The military, police, a local zipline entrepreneur and a have-a-go hero are all involved in the pulse-racing rescue.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

They swing from makeshift trapezes and zipline across Christmas trees.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024

Strictly's Shirley Ballas has whizzed down a zipline to raise funds for a suicide prevention charity after her brother took his own life.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2023

Activists on Sunday also expressed concern the zipline is a harbinger of future interventions.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023