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

Officers with the Kansas City Police Department responded to the shooting at 75th Street and Paseo around 6 p.m., where Griffin’s green GMC Sierra pickup truck was stopped in the southbound lanes of the Paseo. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2025

The focus will be original production, advertising and client representation in a specific lane: the rapidly expanding medium of filmmakers advancing storytelling using AI in all platforms. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025

The alert, relayed by the National Weather Service, warns that weather conditions are conducive to producing high levels of ozone pollution, prompting officials to advise millions to take specific measures that can reduce emissions—including avoiding drive-thru lanes. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

The first phase of the project, launched in 2023, will add lanes and new interchanges at Bentley and Walsh Ranch Parkway. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for lane

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

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