noun
redline
REHD-lyn
Redline (noun) means the maximum safe speed or limit at which a machine, especially an engine, is designed to run. Example: “The tachometer needle crept toward the redline as he floored the accelerator.”
noun
1
The maximum safe speed or limit at which a machine, especially an engine, is designed to run.
"The tachometer needle crept toward the redline as he floored the accelerator."
verb
1
To mark up a document with corrections or proposed changes.
"The lawyer redlined the contract and sent it back for review."
2
To unfairly deny or restrict services like loans or insurance to people in certain areas, often based on race.
"Banks were accused of redlining low-income neighbourhoods for decades."
How to use redline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: an engine's speed limit, marked-up edits on a document, or discriminatory denial of services to an area.
Common pairings
hit the redline
redline a document
redlining practices
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Word forms
- Plural
- redlines
- Third person singular
- redlines
- Past tense
- redlined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tachometer needle crept toward the _____ as he floored the accelerator.
Etymology
From red plus line, from the practice of marking corrections in red pen and the red zone on a tachometer.
Rhymes for redline
See all rhymes for redline →Frequently asked questions
What does “redline” mean?
The word “redline” means the maximum safe speed or limit at which a machine, especially an engine, is designed to run. In plain terms, depending on context: an engine's speed limit, marked-up edits on a document, or discriminatory denial of services to an area.
How do you pronounce “redline”?
“Redline” is pronounced REHD-lyn (/ˈɹɛd.laɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “redline” in a sentence?
Here is “redline” used in a sentence: “The tachometer needle crept toward the redline as he floored the accelerator.”
What part of speech is “redline”?
Depending on how it is used, “redline” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “redline” have?
“Redline” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the maximum safe speed or limit at which a machine, especially an engine, is designed to run.
