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

But even the players’ workout schedules didn’t align at times, with Jackson in South Florida and Bateman in Owings Mills during part of OTAs and vice versa. —Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2024

The candidates have battled over who is more conservative and better aligned with Donald Trump, but McGuire is the one with the former president’s endorsement. —Washington Post, 18 June 2024

The legendary investor’s pattern aligns with the topsy-turvy developments in China’s EV sector, characterized by trade tensions and intense price competition but also increasing global market penetration. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 18 June 2024

As with all our hotel roundups, editors make sure that all recommendations align with our core T+L Hotel Values. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 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