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plumb line
noun
1
: a line (as of cord) that has at one end a weight (such as a plumb bob) and is used especially to determine verticality
2
: a line directed to the center of gravity of the earth : a vertical line
Examples of plumb line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vertical distance from the front tip of a stair nosing to the top of the railing in a plumb line should be between 34 and 38 inches.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 30 Nov. 2024
Like a weighted plumb line, his memories of their day together sank him into a deep, tranquil sleep.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
No one knew what kinda plumb line–astrolabe–compass had brought them to land.
—Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Conceived around the simple concept of a plumb line, the pieces play with the house’s signature use of negative space, with typical restraint.
—Sarah Royce-Greensill, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023
Every two weeks, a dam employee enters one of the four concrete intake towers and lowers a plumb line down to the water level to take an exact measurement.
—Joshua Partlow, Anchorage Daily News, 29 June 2022
Since that's often not the case, Rees recommends drawing a plumb line, basically a guideline to ensure your wallpaper is aligned.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 4 Dec. 2020
Make sure the paper's edge is flush with the plumb line to start, then align subsequent strips with the strip before them.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 4 Dec. 2020
Four weighted plumb lines hung from the ends of the arms.
—Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 7 Dec. 2019
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Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of plumb line was
in the 15th century
Articles Related to plumb line
Dictionary Entries Near plumb line
Cite this Entry
“Plumb line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumb%20line. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
plumb line
noun
: a line that has a weight (as a plumb bob) at one end and is used to find out whether something is vertical or to measure depth
More from Merriam-Webster on plumb line
Nglish: Translation of plumb line for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plumb line
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