clothesline

1 of 2

noun

clothes·​line ˈklōz-ˌlīn How to pronounce clothesline (audio)
 also  ˈklōt͟hz-
: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry

clothesline

2 of 2

verb

clotheslined; clotheslining; clotheslines

transitive verb

: to knock down (someone, such as a football player) by catching by the neck with an outstretched arm

Examples of clothesline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The more enterprising strung up clotheslines between palm trees and hung bedsheets for impromptu shelters. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2024 This involves giving them a good fluff and hanging outside in the sunshine on a clothesline. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
Jax Taylor needs to be bragging, shouting, bossing people around, and generally setting himself up to be clotheslined by fate at every opportunity. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2024 At one point, as part of the show, Feldman had to pretend to get clotheslined by a wrestler. Stayton Bonner, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clothesline 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clothesline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clothesline was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near clothesline

Cite this Entry

“Clothesline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothesline. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clothesline

noun
clothes·​line
-ˌlīn
: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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