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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Data printouts hang from clotheslines, a representation of statistics made physical. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 Use the Washing Ma-Sink Bring along some concentrated detergent and a travel clothesline. David Pierce, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
Verb
Travis Jones beat guard Ben Cleveland inside and nearly clotheslined Henry to make the stop. Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 23 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for clothesline 

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 27 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!