noun
clothesline
KLOHTHZ-lyn
Clothesline (noun) means a rope or cord strung up outdoors for hanging washing to dry. Example: “Sheets flapped on the clothesline in the summer breeze.”
noun
1
A rope or cord strung up outdoors for hanging washing to dry.
"Hang this towel out on the clothesline for me."
"Sheets flapped on the clothesline in the summer breeze."
verb
1
To knock someone down by striking them across the chest or neck with an outstretched arm.
"The referee called a personal foul, when he clotheslined the running back."
"One beast jams out its arm, as if to clothesline me, jagged claws poised to take my head off at the neck. I let my feet fall from under me, throwing my legs forward, praying for some momentum, ducking and sliding, a mad limbo to freedom."
— Jonathan Wood, No Hero (2014)
"The linebacker clotheslined the runner just short of the end zone."
How to use clothesline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA line for drying washing outside — or, informally, a hard hit across the neck or chest that knocks someone flat.
When to use it
The verb sense is informal, common in sports commentary and wrestling.
Common pairings
hang out on the clothesline
clothesline tackle
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Word forms
- Plural
- clotheslines
- Third person singular
- clotheslines
- Past tense
- clotheslined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Sheets flapped on the _____ in the summer breeze.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of clothes plus line.
Rhymes for clothesline
See all rhymes for clothesline →Frequently asked questions
What does “clothesline” mean?
The word “clothesline” means a rope or cord strung up outdoors for hanging washing to dry. In plain terms, a line for drying washing outside — or, informally, a hard hit across the neck or chest that knocks someone flat.
How do you pronounce “clothesline”?
“Clothesline” is pronounced KLOHTHZ-lyn (/ˈkloʊðzlaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “clothesline” in a sentence?
Here is “clothesline” used in a sentence: “Sheets flapped on the clothesline in the summer breeze.”
What part of speech is “clothesline”?
Depending on how it is used, “clothesline” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “clothesline” have?
“Clothesline” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rope or cord strung up outdoors for hanging washing to dry.
