align

verb

ə-ˈlīn 

variants or less commonly aline

aligned also alined; aligning also alining; aligns also alines

transitive verb

1

: to bring into line or alignment

aligned the books on the shelf

2

: to array on the side of or against a party or cause

He aligned himself with the protesters.

intransitive verb

1

: to get or fall into line

He aligned with his friends against a common enemy.

2

: to be in or come into precise adjustment or correct relative position

Negative ends of molecules align with positive ends of other molecules.

aligner noun

Examples of align in a Sentence

He aligned the two holes so he could put the screw through them.

The two parts of the machine are not properly aligned.

The text aligns with the bottom of the picture.

The schools had to align their programs with state requirements.

She is aligning with other senators to oppose his nomination.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, they must be carefully crafted to align with Naperville’s goals and preserve the quality of life our residents expect. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

This is a bathroom bill that provides an avenue for patrons to sue a business for allowing trans people to use facilities that align with their gender identity. —Trans Formations Project, Them, 31 Jan. 2025

The Mets are expected to use a six-man rotation at times this season, which better aligns with the pitching schedule Senga operated under in Japan. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025

Loading your audio article Through the end of February, all the planets in our solar system will visibly align in the sky, like a trope taken straight from fiction. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French aligner, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + ligne line, from Latin linea

First Known Use

circa 1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing align

• align oneself with

Kids Definition

align

verb

variants also aline

ə-ˈlīn 

1

: to bring into or be in line or alignment

2

: to cause to be for or against something (as a belief or political party)

aligned himself with the opposition

aligner noun