lane

1 of 2

noun

ˈlān 

1

: a narrow passageway between fences or hedges

2

: a relatively narrow way or track: such as

a

: an ocean route used by or prescribed for ships

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: air lane

d

: any of several parallel courses on a track or swimming pool in which a competitor must stay during a race

e

: an unmarked lengthwise division of a playing area which defines the playing zone of a particular player

f

: a narrow hardwood surface having pins at one end and a gutter along each side that is used in bowling

g

: free throw lane

lane

2 of 2

Scottish variant of lone

Examples of lane in a Sentence

Noun

The truck's driver kept changing lanes.

She moved to the outside lane.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

State of play: As Trump voted at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreational Center, snipers stood guard from a nearby rooftop and dozens of police vehicles blocked a lane of traffic. —Axios Local, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

The accident temporarily closed both northbound and southbound lanes of Skyline Blvd. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Along Harry Bridges Boulevard and Alameda Street, less than a mile from port terminals, asphalt streets are crumbling and other construction projects are underway, blocking lanes. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Officials announced the reopening of the northbound lanes around 9 p.m. Friday. —Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English lanu; akin to Middle Dutch lane lane

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lane

• air lane
• breakdown lane
• express lane
• fast lane
• free throw lane
• memory lane
• passing lane
• sea-lane
• slow lane

Kids Definition

lane

noun

ˈlān

1

: a narrow way or road usually between fences, hedges, or buildings

2

: a somewhat narrow way or track: as

a

: an ocean route for ships

also : air lane

b

: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles

c

: a bowling alley

Biographical Definition

Lane

biographical name

ˈlān 

Edward William 1801–1876 English orientalist