alignment
uh-LYN-muhnt
Alignment (noun) means the arrangement of things in a straight line, or the state of being correctly positioned relative to each other. Example: “The mechanic checked the wheel alignment after the tyre change.”
noun
1
The arrangement of things in a straight line, or the state of being correctly positioned relative to each other.
"The mechanic checked the wheel alignment after the tyre change."
"Text alignment can be set to left, right, or centre."
"The wheels need alignment, because the car keeps pulling to one side."
2
Agreement or cooperation between people, groups, or goals.
"The merger required careful alignment of the two companies' cultures."
"There is close alignment between what the teachers want and what the parents expect."
"The two charities worked in alignment to help families after the flood."
How to use alignment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing lined up correctly, or being in agreement with other people, values, or goals.
Common pairings
wheel alignment
text alignment
strategic alignment
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Word forms
- Plural
- alignments
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The mechanic checked the wheel _____ after the tyre change.
Etymology
From French alignement, from aligner ("to align").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for alignment
See all rhymes for alignment →Frequently asked questions
What does “alignment” mean?
The word “alignment” means the arrangement of things in a straight line, or the state of being correctly positioned relative to each other. In plain terms, being lined up correctly, or being in agreement with other people, values, or goals.
How do you pronounce “alignment”?
“Alignment” is pronounced uh-LYN-muhnt (/əˈlaɪn.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “alignment” in a sentence?
Here is “alignment” used in a sentence: “The mechanic checked the wheel alignment after the tyre change.”
What part of speech is “alignment”?
“Alignment” is a noun.
Where does the word “alignment” come from?
The word “alignment” comes from French. From French alignement, from aligner ("to align").
Is “alignment” a common word?
“Alignment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “alignment” have?
“Alignment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the arrangement of things in a straight line, or the state of being correctly positioned relative to each other.
What is the difference between "alignment" and "aligned"?
"Alignment" is the noun describing the arrangement or state itself, while "aligned" is the adjective form describing something that has been brought into that state. You would say "the wheels are out of alignment" but "the wheels are aligned."
What does "alignment" mean outside of physical arrangement?
Beyond describing a straight-line arrangement, "alignment" also describes agreement or cooperation between people, groups, or goals, such as "alignment between departments on strategy."
What is a common phrase using "alignment"?
A common example is "wheel alignment" or "car alignment," referring to the correct positioning of a vehicle's wheels relative to each other. Another is "team alignment," describing agreement on shared goals.
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