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

Complete subsequent reps, keeping your knees aligned with your toes and your stomach braced to create stability. —Jakob Roze, Health, 22 Oct. 2024

The process aligns with the mill’s sustainability goals by reducing chemicals by 30 percent and water by 45 percent. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2024

While Meta may have decided that Sweeney’s accounts don’t align with the company’s standards, flight tracking is a perfectly legal activity for anyone to undertake—at least for now. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024

There are also red flags about whether the practices of these platforms align with the best interests of their own users. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024

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