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
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.
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

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

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

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